Gallery: A Retrospective On Aviation Week Network's Laureate Award Winners (1970s)

For pushing the Concorde supersonic transport as a valid commercial aircraft by actual performance in dramatic flights to Africa, South America and the Azores.

*There were no Laureate Awards in 1970

For his work on the lunar surface during Apollo 17 as the first astronaut-geologist in space.

For operating around malfunctions to keep the Space Station functioning through three scientifically productive missions that otherwise would have been abandoned.

For more than 40 years of pioneering design of high-performance fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, including the P-38, P-80, F-104, U-2 and SR-71.

For outstanding test piloting and unusually rigorous spin testing of the U.S. Air Force/McDonnell Douglas F-15 advanced air superiority fighter.

For direction of the Viking double Mars landing program, one of the most imaginative and successful programs in the history of the space age.

For his lifetime of contributions to Russian aviation, from the World War II-era Il-2 Stormovik to the Il-62 jet transport that opened Moscow-New York airline service. 

For his role in the conception and development of the S-76 commercial helicopter to initial deliveries to customers in 1978.

For convincing U.S. President Jimmy Carter to inject $1 billion into NASA’s underfunded space shuttle program.