Named in honor of Robert Q. Fugate (1943– ), of the U.S. Air Force’s Starfire Optical Range (SOR), near Albuquerque. Under Fugate’s leadership, the SOR has developed and operates the most advanced adaptive optics system worldwide. Fugate performed the first experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of using laser beacons for adaptive optics. He has chaired many committees and received numerous awards, including the 1997 Distinguished Civilian Award, the highest given to a civilian by the U.S. Department of Defense. (M 31025) _ _.