National Space Society Awards and Scholarships

NSS Awards and Scholarships

Each year at the International Space Development Conferences, the National Space Society honors individuals and groups who have made significant contributions consistent with the Society's mission of creating a spacefaring civilization. These include the NSS Awards for Excellence for individual volunteer efforts in service to the Society, the Space Activist of the Year Award, the NSS Chapters Awards, and the following awards of special significance:

The Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award, selected by vote of the NSS membership and given only in even-numbered years. The 2010 recipient was Peter Diamandis for his work to create and effectively run the X PRIZE Foundation.

The NSS Wernher Von Braun Award, given only in odd-numbered years. The 2009 award was presented to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, for his work to enable inexpensive, safe, and reliable cargo and passenger transportation to space by a private company.

The Gerard K. O'Neill Memorial Award for Space Settlement Advocacy, given occasionally as warranted. The most recent award (2010) was given to physicist Freeman Dyson, in recognition of his many years of support for the concept of human space settlements.

The Space Pioneer Awards, usually three of which are given each year in recognition of significant accomplishments in opening the space frontier

. Space Pioneer Award winners "The Caballeros"

"The Caballeros" receive the Space Pioneer Award in 2008 for their work on Space-Based Solar Power (a model of a solar power satellite is behind them). From left to right: Lt Col Peter Garretson, USAF, Lt Col Paul Damphousse, USMC, Col M. V. "Coyote" Smith, USAF, Col Mike Hornitschek, USAF.

Activist of the Year

Awards NSS has given in the past include: