George M. Low Space Transportation Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2025 – 15 January 2026

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Established in 1988, the George M. Low Space Transportation Award honors the achievements in space transportation by Dr. George M. Low, who played a leading role in planning and executing all of the Apollo missions, and originated the plans for the first manned lunar orbital flight, Apollo 8.

The award is presented for a timely outstanding contribution to the field of space transportation. This annual award is generally presented at the AIAA AVIATION Forum/ASCEND.

Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 November (Odd-numbered years)
Nomination Deadline: 15 January (Even-numbered years)
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 July (Even-numbered years)

Award Recipients

2018

  • Mr Garry Lyles
    NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
    Awarded
    Award: 2018 George M. Low Space Transportation Award
    AIAA Citation: For visionary leadership in the development of NASA’s Space Launch System Vehicle.”

2016

  • Blue Origin New Shepard Team
    Blue Origin New Shepard Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the first successful flight to space, return to Earth for a vertical landing, and successful re-use in flight to space with vertical landing return.

2014

  • Mr Gilles Debas
    Airbus Defence and Space
    Awarded
    Award: -
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution to space transportation by developing, qualifying, manufacturing, and testing Europe’s most sophisticated space vehicle.

2012

  • NASA HQ
    NASA HQ
    Awarded
    Award: Space Shuttle Team
    AIAA Citation: For excellence in conception, design, development test, operation and retirement of the world’s first and only reusable space transportation system.

2010

  • Michael C Gass
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For leadership in combining the Atlas V and Delta II and IV launch vehicle programs into United Launch Alliance while successfully launching 36 rockets in ULA’s first 36 months.

2008

  • Mr. Elon R Musk
    Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution to the development of commercial space transportation systems using innovative low-cost approaches.

2006

  • Mr. Elbert L Rutan
    Scaled Composites LLC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For development and successful flight demonstration of the first civilian spaceship, for sparking global interest in space tourism, and for enabling commercial passenger suborbital spaceflight.

2004

  • Mr John C Karas
    Awarded

2002

  • William J Escher
    SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc.
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of space transportation, from Vanguard to Spaceliner, and for tirelessly promoting a vision for low cost, reliable access to space based on the Synerjet combined-cycle engine

2000

  • James G Maser
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: As Chief Engineer of the sea launch international joint venture, led the engineering effort resulting in its first two successful launches, an unprecedented aerospace achievement

1998

  • Laurence A Price
    Lockheed Martin
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical and managerial leadership in developing the Athena family of launch vehicles to service the emerging small satellite market, thus helping to maintain United States competitiveness in the worldwide marketplace

1996

  • Thomas D Burson
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the achievement of making the Delta the most reliable US Launch Vehicle, as demonstrated by a record 49 consecutive launches without failure and 216 out of 229 since 1960

1994

  • David W Thompson
    Orbital ATK
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For pioneering efforts in commercialization of space transportation with the successful development and launch of three new space transportation systems in the early 1990’s: Air Launched Pegasus, first flight April 5, 1990; Transfer Orbit Stage, first flight September 25, 19

1992

  • Dr Alan M Lovelace
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For achievements and contributions to the field of space transportation and for leadership in developing and maintaining the competitive edge of the United States of America in the international space transportation marketplace

1990

  • HON Edward C Aldridge
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For unyielding support for assured access to space through establishment of a mixed fleet of launch vehicles including initiation of the Titan IV development, procurement of medium launch vehicles, and encouragement of a commercial launch industry

1988

  • Dr Eberhard F Rees
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dynamic technical and managerial leadership in the field of space transportation demonstrated by his tremendous contributions to the national defense effort through the development of long rang ballistic missiles and to the space program