Space Systems Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2024 – 15 January 2025
Up to 1976 known as the Spacecraft Design Award, the Space Systems Award is now presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of space systems. This annual award will be presented at AIAA ASCEND.
Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 November
Nomination Deadline: 15 January
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 February
Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 November
Nomination Deadline: 15 January
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 February
Award Recipients
2022
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Mars2020 Sampling and Caching System (SCS) TeamMars2020 Sampling and Caching System (SCS) TeamAwardedAward: 2022 AIAA Space Systems AwardAIAA Citation: “For the design and flight operation of the scientific acquisition system that became the foundation of Mars Sample Return.”
2021
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Ingenuity Mars Helicopter TeamIngenuity Mars Helicopter TeamAwardedAward: 2021 AIAA Space Systems AwardAIAA Citation: “For the design and flight test validation of the first helicopter designed for flight at Mars.”
2020
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InSight Flight Team-NASA/Jet Propulsion LaboratoryInSight Flight Team-NASA/Jet Propulsion LaboratoryAwardedAward: 2020 AIAA Space Systems AwardAIAA Citation: "For excellence in development and operations of the InSight mission to Mars, the first mission to explore the deep interior of Mars."
2019
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Mr Jess M SponableDeputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology, and EngineeringAwardedAward: 2019 Space Systems AwardAIAA Citation: For unique and extraordinary leadership in providing the pathway for the evolution of the United States military launch capability towards robust and affordable reusable space systems.”
2018
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Dr Marc D RaymanJet Propulsion LaboratoryAwardedAward: 2018 Space Systems AwardAIAA Citation: "For accomplishing a unique interplanetary mission to orbit and explore two alien worlds, Ceres and Vesta, displaying exceptional space engineering with a rich scientific return.”
2017
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Rick NybakkenJet Propulsion LaboratoryAwardedAward: For exceptional achievement in the development and implementation of the Juno Mission, resulting in groundbreaking data that is revolutionizing our understanding of Jupiter.AIAA Citation: For exceptional achievement in the development and implementation of the Juno Mission, resulting in groundbreaking data that is revolutionizing our understanding of Jupiter.
2016
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Cygnus Program, Orbital ATKCygnus Program, Orbital ATKAwardedAIAA Citation: For innovations and service to the global space community for delivering commercial cargo to the International Space Station.
2015
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Herschel and Planck Project TeamHerschel and Planck Project TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding scientific achievements recognized by worldwide scientific community and for the outstanding technical performances of the two satellites.
2014
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Mr Michael D TrelaAwardedAIAA Citation: “In recognition of your leadership and the Skybox Satellite Team for the innovative development of a low-cost hi-performance earth imaging satellite.”
2012
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Disaster Monitoring ConstellationDisaster Monitoring ConstellationAwardedAIAA Citation: For being an unprecedented example of international cooperation in the application of space systems to the mitigation of human suffering.
2011
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Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3) Team, Space Based Hyperspectral ImagingTactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3) Team, Space Based Hyperspectral ImagingAwardedAIAA Citation: For demonstrated hyperspectral imaging capability in a small satellite design, significantly expanding the frontiers of U.S. national space capability.
2010
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STPSat-1 TeamSTPSat-1 TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: To recognize the government-led multi-contractor team for the successful design, development, integration, and on-orbit tests of technologies and mission operations supporting critical USAF and USN missions.
2009
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Indian Space Research OrganizationIndian Space Research OrganizationAwardedAward: -AIAA Citation: To outstanding accomplishments in the design, development, launch and operation of India’s first scientific mission, Chandrayaan-1, operating beyond earth’s orbit.
2008
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TacSat-2 Spacecraft TeamTacSat-2 Spacecraft TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: To recognize the success of the first Operationally Responsive Space demonstration mission and for establishing novel space capabilities for the nation and ground-breaking component technologies through 14 successful payloads/experiments.
2007
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XSS-11 TeamXSS-11 TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: To recognize this government-led, multi-contractor team for the successful design, development, integration, and on-orbit tests of numerous first time technologies and mission operations techniques supporting critical USAF missions.
2006
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NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) ProgramNASA Earth Observing System (EOS) ProgramAwardedAIAA Citation: For developing the Earth Observing System, consisting of a series of earth-observing satellites, an advanced data system, and teams of scientists that represent the first global environmental monitoring system.
2005
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Mr Craig R DeanLand Engineering AgencyAwardedAIAA Citation: - For Combined Efforts in Co-Chairing the 2005 AIAA Region VII-Australia Student Paper Competition and Organizing the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) AIAA Student Branch
2004
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Dr James R WertzMicrocosm IncAwardedAIAA Citation: For the first earth/sun/moon autonomous navigation system on the TAOS mission, the first fully-autonomous, on-board orbit control system on the UoSat-12 mission, and for creating the Scorpius launch vehicle program.
2003
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AFRL-Boeing XSS-10 TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding performance of the team during design, implementation, test, and operations, including the space flight test of advanced maneuvering and proximity operations of the XSS-10 Micro-Satellite.
2002
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Deep Space One TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: For the outstanding performance of the team during design, implementation, test, operations, and extended mission including space flight test of 12 important, high-risk technologies.
2001
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NASA NASA-Boeing-Industry-Int`l ParAwardedAIAA Citation: For its extraordinary efforts to design, develop, assemble and operate the International Space Station (ISS).
2000
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CHANDRA X-Ray Observation TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: NASA/MSFC, the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and TRW are recognized for successfully designing, building, launching, deploying and operating Chandra, the world’s most capable X-ray observatory.
1999
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LANDSAT TeamAwarded
1998
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CAPT Frank L CulbertsonAwardedAIAA Citation: For the effective leadership and management of Phase I Shuttle MIR joint space operations resulting in establishment of a significant co-operative effort in space by International Partners
1997
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Mr. Ronald D SymmesHughes Space and Communications CompanyAwardedAIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding leadership in the design, development, and orbit operation of the HS-601 communications satellite product line, the most widely purchased spacecraft in space flight history
1996
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Mr. Robert G MinorAwardedAIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding contributions to the design, development, and flight of the International Docking System that successfully united the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir
1995
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Pierre J MadonAwardedAIAA Citation: For sustained leadership in space systems including development on INTELSAT-VI satellite space shuttle rescue mission, communications satellite systems and Ariane launch vehicles
1994
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SpaceHab TeamAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the design and implementation of the SPACEHAB Space Research Laboratory furthering the goals of commercial use of space for science and technology.
1993
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Donald A KruegerAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and achievement in future space systems architecture through development and flight of cutting-edge spacecraft avionics: fiber-optics data system, 80386/7i processor and solid state memory
1992
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Dr John A JamiesonAwarded-CoRecipients
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Mr. Edward E NonemanT R W IncAwarded-CoRecipients
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Mr. Robert L WalquistAwarded-CoRecipients
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Victor WhiteAwarded-CoRecipients
1990
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W. Ray HookRetired f/NASA LangleyAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and contributions in the areas of Space Station and space transportation systems requirements and technology needs, which have had significant impact on the Nation’s Space Program
1989
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Mr. Arnold D AldrichAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For your diligent safety review and extensive system-wide technical upgrade for improved mission success and your commitment to getting the NSTS back in operation as demonstrated by the successful return to space and landing of STS-26
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Robert L CrippenRetired f/ThiokolAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For your diligent safety review and extensive system-wide technical upgrade for improved mission success and your commitment to getting the NSTS back in operation as demonstrated by the successful return to space and landing of STS-26
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Mr. Richard Hugo Truly Jr.Awarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For your diligent safety review and extensive system-wide technical upgrade for improved mission success and your commitment to getting the NSTS back in operation as demonstrated by the successful return to space and landing of STS-26
1988
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John DassoulasAwarded-CoRecipients
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Dr Michael D GriffinSchafer CorporationAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of the highly complex SDIO Delta 180/Vector Sum Program that successfully demonstrated the first space ICBM Boost Phase Intercept Mission
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COL Michael J RendineAssured Space Access Technologies, Inc.Awarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of the highly complex SDIO Delta 180/Vector Sum Program that successfully demonstrated the first space ICBM Boost Phase Intercept Mission
1984
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Richard H KohrsAwardedAIAA Citation: For his outstanding contributions in system management of the flight and ground system integration activities resulting in the development of an operational national space transportation system.
1983
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Mr. Seymour Z RubensteinAwardedAIAA Citation: For significant personal contributions tot he advancement of astronautics in the design and development of Space Shuttle avionics architecture; and his major systems management and engineering contributions to the unique Space Shuttle Orbiter
1982
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Angelo GustaferroAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievements and contributions to the design and implementation of a variety of spacecraft and launch vehicle systems, as well as managerial excellence in the concept, development, and advocacy of planetary space programs
1981
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Krafft EhrickeAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the field of space systems analysis and design, culminating in his monumental work the Extra-terrestrial Imperative
1980
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Charles F HallAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement and technical leadership as manager of projects that have sent Pioneer spacecraft to explore the solar system and encounter Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn.
1979
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John R CasaniAwardedAIAA Citation: For personal contributions as the principal architect and system designer of the Galileo Project, a pioneering attempt at planetary exploration
1978
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Wernher von BraunAwardedAIAA Citation: For skillful engineering, bold vision and inspirational leadership of our efforts in reaching the moon beyond
1977
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Mr. Walter O LowrieAwardedAIAA Citation: For eminent program and technical leadership in successfully designing, developing, and landing two sophisticated Viking spacecraft on the planed Mars. This outstanding achievement in spacecraft systems analysis, design and implementation yielded the most complex spacecraft ever developed in the free world
1975
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Caldwell C Johnson Jr.AwardedAIAA Citation: For original design concepts and outstanding inventions that have advance spacecraft design technology and contributed significantly to the extraordinary achievements made by the United States in manned space flight
1974
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Harold LassenAwardedAIAA Citation: For conceptual design of spin stabilized Pioneer 6-9 Interplanetary Spacecraft and Pioneer 10 and 11 Jupiter Spacecraft using high-gain antennas and communications link for attitude reference
1973
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Dr Harold A RosenBoeingAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in the development of satellite communication systems which have ranged from the pioneering invention of the spin stabilized synchronous orbit spacecraft concept and his continued leadership in developing and putting into service most of the presently used commercial communications satellite systems around the world
1972
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Dr Thomas J KellyUS ArmyAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding individual contribution tot he successful design, development, production and operation of the Lunar Module
1971
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Anthony IorilloAwardedAIAA Citation: For the invention of the Gyrostat stabilized spacecraft which formed the basic stabilization and configuration for the successful Tactical Communication Satellite, Intelsat IV, and a series of other satellites now in design and production
1970
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Dr Maxime A FagetAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and technical ability which resulted in conception and design of this Nation’s first manned spacecraft, the Mercury capsule system
1969
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Otto E Bartoe Jr.AwardedAIAA Citation: For the concept and preliminary design of Orbiting Solar Observatory spacecraft configuration and control systems, the first embodiment of the spin-despin design.