NASA and Space Flight Medals

NASA Badges, Medals & Awards

NASA (or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has a series of prestigious honor awards such as the Distinguished Service Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal are approved by the Administrator and presented to a number of carefully selected individuals and groups of individuals, both Government and non-Government. Recipients of NASA medals have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the Agency’s mission.

The recipient’s achievements or contributions must demonstrate a level of excellence that has made a profound or indelible impact on NASA mission success. For the Distinguished Service Medal the contribution has to be so extraordinary that other forms of recognition by NASA would be inadequate.

Five Astronauts Who Received Medals

Here are five astronauts who have received NASA medals:

Neil Armstrong – Neil Armstrong received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his historic first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
John Glenn – John Glenn received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his pioneering flight as the first American to orbit the Earth during the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission in 1962. Later, he also received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his return to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at the age of 77.

Buzz Aldrin – Buzz Aldrin was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his role as the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 11 mission, where he became the second person to walk on the Moon in 1969.
Kathryn Sullivan – Kathryn Sullivan received the NASA Space Flight Medal for her historic spacewalk during the STS-41-G mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984, becoming the first American woman to walk in space.

Medals from NASA and Space Flight

The Chair of the Incentive Awards Board (IAB) annually requests nominations for the various NASA honor awards. After a rigorous review by Center Review Boards, the nominations are approved by the Center Director or Official in Charge and are forwarded to the IAB Chair. NASA medals are then presented to the award recipients by the Agency’s highest officials at the annual awards ceremonies held at each NASA Center

Below you can find the complete collection of NASA medals and awards. Overall, medals from NASA represent the agency’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and exploration, and serve as a testament to the remarkable achievements of those who have contributed to the quest to understand and explore the universe.

The NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal

The NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal is an award established in 1991 and awarded to both civilian members of NASA and military astronauts.

The NASA Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal

The NASA Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal is an award given to people of the federal service for significant support of NASA.

The NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal

The NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal is a medal awarded to individuals for outstanding achievement in diversity and inclusion.

The NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal

The NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal is given to Government or individuals for exceptional technology contributions.

The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal

The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal is a medal established on September 15, 1961 when the original ESM was divided in three.

The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal

The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal is a medal established in 1981 to recognize unusually significant engineering contributions.

The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal

The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal is a NASA award open to government and non-government employees for courageous handling of an emergency.

The NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal

NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal is awarded for performance that embodies multiple contributions on NASA projects or initiatives.

The NASA Exceptional Service Medal

The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is an award established in 1959 and granted to government employees for significant sustained performance.

The NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal

The NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal is awarded to individuals who were not Government employees during the accomplishment.

The NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

The NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal is US medal awarded to government employees for notable leadership accomplishments in NASA.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was established in 1969 to recognize astronauts for distinguished meritorious efforts.

The NASA Space Flight Medal

The NASA Space Flight Medal is a decoration bestowed upon astronauts (US or foreign) who fly aboard a United States space mission.

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award that can be given to member of the federal government (astronauts and civilians).

The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal

The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal is the highest honor NASA awards to anyone who was not a government employee.

Find NASA Medals Online

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