Microgravity and Space Processes Award Open for Nominations 10 February 2025 1 June 2025

The Microgravity and Space Processes Award is presented for significant contributions in microgravity science, space processing, or in furthering the use of microgravity for space processing. In 2020, this award was renamed from Space Processing Award to Microgravity and Space Processes Award.

This award is presented biennially (in even-numbered years) generally at the AIAA SciTech Forum.

Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 February (Odd-numbered years)
Nomination Deadline: 1 June (Odd-numbered years)
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 July (Odd-numbered years)

Award Recipients

2022

  • Prof Carlos Fernandez-Pello
    University of California, Berkley
    Awarded
    Award: 2022 AIAA Microgravity and Space Processes Award
    AIAA Citation: For decades of microgravity research in smoldering, flame spread and spacecraft fire safety and for leadership in the microgravity research community.

2019

  • Prof Issam A Mudawar
    Purdue University
    Awarded
    Award: 2019 Space Processing Award
    AIAA Citation: Recognizing decades of research and advances in fluid-based heat transfer in aerospace applications, including the Flow Boiling and Condenation Experiment in ISS.

2017

  • Mr. Mark M Weislogel
    Portland State University
    Awarded
    Award: For decades of leadership in Space Shuttle and ISS zero-g fluids scientific experimentation and global public outreach via design and publicity of creative fluids activities onboard ISS
    AIAA Citation: For decades of leadership in Space Shuttle and ISS zero-g fluids scientific experimentation and global public outreach via design and publicity of creative fluids activities onboard ISS

2015

  • Dr James Tien
    Case Western Reserve University
    Awarded
    Award: -
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding research into the fundamentals of flame spread and flammability, for contributions to spacecraft fire safety, and for leadership and support of the physical sciences in microgravity.

2013

  • Donald Pettit
    NASA-Johnson Space Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For contributions to space experiments and educational programs based on his space flight experience on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

2007

  • Prof Paul Concus
    University of California Berkeley
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding fundamental contributions to the understanding of

2004

  • Gerard Faeth
    University of Michigan
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For his outstanding scientific contributions to microgravity combustion science research and unsurpassed advocacy of microgravity combustion science and the entire NASA biological and physical research program in the United States.

2002

  • Mr. William J Masica
    5945 Bay Berry Circle
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For his pioneering efforts in microgravity research and outstanding technical and programmatic leadership of the NASA Lewis/Glenn Research Center Microgravity Science Program during the Spacelab missions and pre-Space Station Era.

2000

  • Mr. Robert C Rhome
    George Mason University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and excellence in managing the NASA Microgravity Science Program during the Spacelab missions and pre-Space Station era

1998

  • Prof Martin E Glicksman
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For premier contributions to the fields of low gravity fluid physics, materials science and microgravity processing and for outstanding leadership in guiding the Nation’s Microgravity Science Program

1996

  • Dr Lawrence DeLucas
    The University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of his leadership and accomplishments through numerous space experiments in protein crystal growth and his outstanding success in research and industrial applications

1994

  • Dr Simon Ostrach
    Case Western Reserve University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For pioneering research on microgravity fluid mechanics and unfailing advocacy of scientific rigor in conducting space processing experiments.

1992

  • August "Gus" Witt
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Awarded