At this conference the following prestigious AIAA National Awards will be presented at an awards luncheon on Wednesday, 29 September:

Von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management
Approved by the Board of Directors in 1987, this award gives national recognition to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant space or space-related program or project.

Space Sciences Award
Reestablished in August 1998, the Space Science Award is now presented to an individual for demonstrated leadership of innovative scientific investigations associated with space science missions. First presentation under the new scope took place in September 2000.

The award, originally established in 1961, was presented to an investigator who distinguished himself through the achievement in studies of the physics of atmospheres of celestial bodies, or of the matter, fields, and dynamic and energy transfer processes occurring in space or experienced by space vehicles. It received its current form in 1998 when the Institute widened the scope of the award.

Space Systems Award
Formerly the Spacecraft Design Award, the Space Systems Award is presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of space systems.