Peter H. Haas
1921-1986 |
Peter Haas was a pioneer in the field of nuclear weapons effects beginning in the mid 1950s. He proposed and conducted some of the landmark experiments on nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and transient radiation effects on electronics (TREE) at the Nevada and Pacific Nuclear Test Sites.
He was always a strong advocate for laboratory simulation facilities and it was under his direction that some of the early neutron displacement effects research was done in pulsed nuclear reactors. He had the imagination and foresight to suggest that electronic circuitry might undergo severe changes in behavior when exposed to a nuclear radiation pulse, and this was the genesis of the discipline known as TREE. Pete was a tutor for many people who were and are major contributors to the field of Radiation Survivability Research and Technology. |
Purpose of the Award:
To recognize individuals "who have demonstrated outstanding and innovative technical contributions or leadership in the successful development of U.S. hardened military and space systems."
The Plaque states:
"For Superior Achievement in Radiation Survivability Research and Technology"
To recognize individuals "who have demonstrated outstanding and innovative technical contributions or leadership in the successful development of U.S. hardened military and space systems."
The Plaque states:
"For Superior Achievement in Radiation Survivability Research and Technology"
2024 Haas Award Winner
Kenneth LaBel
Subject Matter Expert on Space Electronics
“For sustained technical excellence, innovation, and leadership in Radiation Hardness Assurance contributions on missions of national significance and radiation-hardened electronics development, with critical national advocacy and strategic vision in policy, workforce development, and assured access to ground test facilities.”
Subject Matter Expert on Space Electronics
“For sustained technical excellence, innovation, and leadership in Radiation Hardness Assurance contributions on missions of national significance and radiation-hardened electronics development, with critical national advocacy and strategic vision in policy, workforce development, and assured access to ground test facilities.”
Graduated with a BES in EECS with a minor in Mathematical Sciences from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Grad school (U MD and JHU) in Computer Engineering was deferred due to the exciting work that NASA provided (and 80-hour work weeks!).
His career at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) included work and leadership in:
He was the program manager (or co-manager) of the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program for 15 years as well as group leader for the Radiation Effects and Analysis Group (REAG) at NASA GSFC. He has won multiple awards at NASA including the prestigious National Resource Award, the Moe I. Schneebaum Award (top engineering award at NASA/GSFC), multiple Exceptional Service Medals, and a multitude of Group Achievement Awards. He was also a NASA representative to multi-Agency working groups such as the Radiation Hardened Oversight Council (RHOC) and the Joint Mission Assurance Council (JMAC) and is recognized for his ability to work across US Government borders as well as with industry and academia. His broader view has looked at collaborating whenever possible with NASA’s international partners such as ESA, JAXA, CNES, and RADNEXT including joint efforts and flight experiments.
Mr. LaBel has published over 200 papers as author/co-author (multiple best papers in IEEE TNS), has taught multiple short courses at IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC), Hardened Electronics and Radiation Technology (HEART) Conference, Radiation Effects on Components and Systems (RADECS) Conference, and others, and is a recognized expert in radiation effects systems engineering. He’s also been a frequent presenter at International School on the Effects of Radiations on Embedded Systems for Space Applications (SERESSA) and also hosted an occurrence of this meeting in the U.S.
Mr. LaBel won the IEEE NPSS Radiation Effects Award in 2023. He’s been active in the IEEE NSREC with multiple roles including: the 2009 IEEE NSREC Short Course Chair, the 2012 IEEE NSREC General Chair, and past RESG Member-at-Large. He has been a strong supporter of the RADECS Association and conference since his early participation including being the first U.S.-based Topical Day Chair. Mr. LaBel is also on the Executive Committee for the Single Event Effects Symposium/Military and Aerospace Programmable Logic Devices Workshop (SEE/MAPLD).
Mr. LaBel retired from NASA in January 2019 after 35+ years and is currently supporting Science Systems and Applications Inc (SSAI) in support of NASA, Trusted Strategic Solutions, LLC (TSS), and as an employee at The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). His current work passions are workforce development and radiation test facilities.
His career at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) included work and leadership in:
- Fault tolerant computing,
- Hardware/software for ground systems electronics,
- Advanced electronics and photonics technology (including fiber optic networks and data links),
- Spaceflight hardware including command and data handling,
- Systems engineering,
- Radiation hardness assurance/research for >200 NASA flight projects and instruments, and,
- Microelectronics radiation effects and reliability assurance leadership and management.
He was the program manager (or co-manager) of the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program for 15 years as well as group leader for the Radiation Effects and Analysis Group (REAG) at NASA GSFC. He has won multiple awards at NASA including the prestigious National Resource Award, the Moe I. Schneebaum Award (top engineering award at NASA/GSFC), multiple Exceptional Service Medals, and a multitude of Group Achievement Awards. He was also a NASA representative to multi-Agency working groups such as the Radiation Hardened Oversight Council (RHOC) and the Joint Mission Assurance Council (JMAC) and is recognized for his ability to work across US Government borders as well as with industry and academia. His broader view has looked at collaborating whenever possible with NASA’s international partners such as ESA, JAXA, CNES, and RADNEXT including joint efforts and flight experiments.
Mr. LaBel has published over 200 papers as author/co-author (multiple best papers in IEEE TNS), has taught multiple short courses at IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC), Hardened Electronics and Radiation Technology (HEART) Conference, Radiation Effects on Components and Systems (RADECS) Conference, and others, and is a recognized expert in radiation effects systems engineering. He’s also been a frequent presenter at International School on the Effects of Radiations on Embedded Systems for Space Applications (SERESSA) and also hosted an occurrence of this meeting in the U.S.
Mr. LaBel won the IEEE NPSS Radiation Effects Award in 2023. He’s been active in the IEEE NSREC with multiple roles including: the 2009 IEEE NSREC Short Course Chair, the 2012 IEEE NSREC General Chair, and past RESG Member-at-Large. He has been a strong supporter of the RADECS Association and conference since his early participation including being the first U.S.-based Topical Day Chair. Mr. LaBel is also on the Executive Committee for the Single Event Effects Symposium/Military and Aerospace Programmable Logic Devices Workshop (SEE/MAPLD).
Mr. LaBel retired from NASA in January 2019 after 35+ years and is currently supporting Science Systems and Applications Inc (SSAI) in support of NASA, Trusted Strategic Solutions, LLC (TSS), and as an employee at The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). His current work passions are workforce development and radiation test facilities.