Dr. Ajay Kothari, US based aerospace scientist and President & CEO of Astrox Corporation which has developed a prototype of a new vertical take-off hypersonic vehicle that has the potential to revolutionise air travel, was awarded the ‘Engineer of the Year’ Award by ASEI (American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin) during its National Convention in Los Angeles in September 2011.

The award is presented to an engineering professional of Indian origin with exceptional contribution to the cause of Engineering science and businesses. Judging is based on four criteria -- Professional Achievements, Service to the Profession, Service to the ASEI Organization and Service to the Community.

Established in 1983, this award is administered by the ASEI Awards Committee that is comprised of at least five members selected by the ASEI board. The award consists of a plaque, memento, and recognition at the ASEI Annual National Convention banquet event.

Kothari’s design for a new “vertical take-off” hypersonic vehicle was hailed as a “very different kind of hypersonic vehicle” in Technology Horizons, a 20-year roadmap for science and technology advances published by Werner Dahm, chief scientist of the US Air Force.

Earlier in 1997, ASEI had also conferred the “ASEI-NCC Emerging Technologist Award” on Kothari.