Haley Space Flight Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2024 – 15 January 2025

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This award was established in 1954 and presented through 1966 as the Astronautics Award. It was renamed and presented through 1993 as the Haley Astronautics Award, honoring Andrew G. Haley, who has been described as the world’s first practitioner of space law and an expert on rocket propulsion. Today known as the Haley Space Flight Award, the biennial (odd numbered years) award is presented for outstanding contributions by an astronaut or flight test personnel to the advancement of the art, science or technology of astronautics.

The award is presented biennially (in odd-numbered years) at the AIAA AVIATION Forum/ASCEND.

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

Award Recipients

2018

  • Daniel W Bursch
    Naval Postgraduate School
    Awarded
    Award: 2018 Haley Space Flight Award
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of Dan Bursch's advancement in the art, science, and technology of robotics and unexpected challenges during the early stages of the International Space Station.

2016

  • Mr James S Voss
    University of Colorado Boulder
    Awarded
    Award: 2016 Haley Space Flight Award
    AIAA Citation: “For outstanding contributions to human space flight through distinguished performance on five spaceflights, Space Station assembly, leadership in spacecraft design, and dedication to space education.”

2014

  • Dr James H Newman
    Naval Postgraduate School
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: To recognize his advancement of technology in rendezvous, proximity operations and robotics through the development of astronaut situational awareness tools.

2012

  • Mars Exploration Rover Development and Operations Team
    Mars Exploration Rover Development and Operations Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For pioneering astronautics and science achievements enabled by new techniques in extraterrestrial robotic system operations to explore another world and extend mission lifetime.

2010

  • STS-125 Crew
    STS-125 Crew
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For their tremendous accomplishments in the service of science by repairing and upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope and proving the unique value of manned spaceflight.

1993

  • Mr Dan C Brandenstein
    United Space Alliance
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For advancing astronautical technology and space exploration and for outstanding leadership and bravery during the maiden voyage of the Endeavor Space Shuttle Mission

1991

  • Charles F Bolden Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For distinguished performance in the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope on Mission STS-31 during April 1990. The professionalism has opened the door to new dimensions in science
  • Dr Steven A Hawley
    The University of Kansas
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For distinguished performance in the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope on Mission STS-31 during April 1990. The professionalism has opened the door to new dimensions in science
  • Mr. Bruce McCandless II
    Lockheed Martin
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For distinguished performance in the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope on Mission STS-31 during April 1990. The professionalism has opened the door to new dimensions in science.
  • COL Loren J Shriver
    Retired f/United Space Alliance
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For distinguished performance in the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope on Mission STS-31 during April 1990. The professionalism has opened the door to new dimensions in science
  • Dr Kathryn D Sullivan
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For distinguished performance in the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope on Mission STS-31 during April 1990. The professionalism has opened the door to new dimensions in science

1989

  • CAPT Frederick H Hauck
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For renewing America''s manned exploration of space with exceptionally successful mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26) from September 29 through October 3, 1988
  • Mr. Mike M Lounge
    Boeing Space Exploration
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For renewing America''s manned exploration of space with exceptionally successful mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26) from September 29 through October 3, 1988
  • Mr. George T Nelson
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For renewing America''s manned exploration of space with exceptionally successful mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26) from September 29 through October 3, 1988

1987

  • Mr. Bruce McCandless II
    Lockheed Martin
    Awarded

1985

  • David Coolidge
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program
  • Michael Cummings
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program
  • Mr. Gay E Hilton
    N A S A
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States' space program
  • Mr. David K Hogan
    Awarded
  • Roger Hogan
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program
  • Thomas W Karras
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program
  • Ms. Barbara L Scott
    NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program
  • Kenneth C Ward
    David Taylor Research Center
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For engineering skill, innovation, dedication to duty, outstanding professionalism, and unyielding tenacity in regaining control -- and thus operational use -- of the NOAA-B Environmental Satellite eleven months after it has been presumed lost. This superb example of Government/Industry team work is the highest tradition of the United States'' space program

1984

  • COL Richard O Covey
    Retired f/United Space Alliance
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For renewing America's manned exploration of space with exceptionally successful mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26) from September 29 through October 3, 1988.
  • Dr Owen K Garriott
    The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge
  • Mr. Byron Lichtenberg
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge
  • Ulf Merbold
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge
  • Dr Robert Allen Ridley Parker
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge.
  • Brewster H Shaw
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge
  • Dr J. W Young
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science technology, through their creative abilities, which produced significant gains in information and knowledge.

1982

  • Robert L Crippen
    Retired f/Thiokol
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of astronautics. With unparalleled performance, they piloted the first reusable spacecraft on its initial flight to earth orbit and return
  • Dr J. W Young
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For their outstanding contribution to the advancement of astronautics. With unparalleled performance, Crippen and Young piloted the first reusable spacecraft on its initial flight to earth orbit and return.

1980

  • Joe H Engle
    The Stafford Task Force
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the Flight Crews of the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests. Their combined ability to plan and implement data procurement at a large number of test points in very limited time was largely responsible for the programs great success
  • C Gordon Fullerton
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the Flight Crews of the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests. Their combined ability to plan and implement data procurement at a large number of test points in very limited time was largely responsible for the programs great success
  • Fred W Haise Jr
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the Flight Crews of the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests. Their combined ability to plan and implement data procurement at a large number of test points in very limited time was largely responsible for the programs great success.
  • Mr. Richard Hugo Truly Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the Flight Crews of the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests. Their combined ability to plan and implement data procurement at a large number of test points in very limited time was largely responsible for the programs great success

1978

  • Vance D Brand
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the United States flight crew during the Apollo Soyuz space flight, the first international manned space mission. Through their efforts, it was possible to carry out a significant cooperative venture with the Soviet Union in a space flight that successfully demonstrated joint orbital operations and tested a universal docking system, opening the way for mutual assistance in the exploration of the universe
  • MAJ Donald K Slayton
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the United States flight crew during the Apollo Soyuz space flight, the first international manned space mission. Through their efforts, it was possible to carry out a significant cooperative venture with the Soviet Union in a space flight that successfully demonstrated joint orbital operations and tested a universal docking system, opening the way for mutual assistance in the exploration of the universe
  • Lt Gen Thomas P Stafford
    Stafford, Burke & Hecker Inc
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance as the United States flight crew during the Apollo Soyuz space flight, the first international manned space mission. Through their efforts, it was possible to carry out a significant cooperative venture with the Soviet Union in a space flight that successfully demonstrated joint orbital operations and tested a universal docking system, opening the way for mutual assistance in the exploration of the universe

1976

  • Mr. William H Dana
    NASA-Dryden Flight Research Center
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For his research work on the M2-F3 lifting body control systems.

1975

  • Gerald P Carr
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For demonstrated outstanding courage and skill during their record-breaking 84-day Skylab mission
  • Dr Edward G Gibson
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For demonstrated outstanding courage and skill during their record-breaking 84-day Skylab mission
  • Mr. William R Pogue
    University of Maryland
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For demonstrated outstanding courage and skill during their record-breaking 84-day Skylab mission

1974

  • CAPT Charles Conrad Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the courage and skill exhibited in surmounting the problems that had occurred during the launch of the Skylab space station
  • Joseph P Kerwin
    Wyle
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the courage and skill exhibited in surmounting the problems that had occurred during the launch of the Skylab space station
  • Paul J Weitz
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the courage and skill exhibited in surmounting the problems that had occurred during the launch of the Skylab space station

1973

  • Charles M Duke
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For heroic and historic contributions to mankind's quest for scientific knowledge as the crew of the Apollo 16 mission to the Moon.
  • Thomas K Mattingly II
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For heroic and historic contributions to mankind's quest for scientific knowledge as the crew of the Apollo 16 mission to the Moon
  • Dr J. W Young
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For heroic and historic contributions to mankind's quest for scientific knowledge as the crew of the Apollo 16 mission to the Moon.

1972

  • Mr. James C Irwin
    CTL Aerospace
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the successful accomplishment of the Apollo 15 Mission which expanded man''s lunar exploration to the rugged terrain of Hadley Rille and for the most extensive scientific exploration of the lunar surface utilizing the lunar rover yet achieved
  • David R Scott
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the successful accomplishment of the Apollo 15 Mission which expanded man''s lunar exploration to the rugged terrain of Hadley Rille and for the most extensive scientific exploration of the lunar surface utilizing the lunar rover yet achieved
  • Dr Alfred M Worden
    Goodrich Corporation
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the successful accomplishment of the Apollo 15 Mission which expanded man''s lunar exploration to the rugged terrain of Hadley Rille and for the most extensive scientific exploration of the lunar surface utilizing the lunar rover yet achieved

1971

  • Mr. Fred W Haise
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the exceptional manner in which the Apollo 13 crew conducted themselves and their spacecraft under extraordinary circumstances of extreme stress
  • Fred W Haise Jr
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the exceptional manner in which the Apollo 13 crew conducted themselves and their spacecraft under extraordinary circumstances of extreme stress.
  • James A Lovell Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the exceptional manner in which the Apollo 13 crew conducted themselves and their spacecraft under extraordinary circumstances of extreme stress
  • John L Swigert
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For the exceptional manner in which the Apollo 13 crew conducted themselves and their spacecraft under extraordinary circumstances of extreme stress

1970

  • Mr. William A Anders
    Awarded-CoRecipients
  • Mr. Frank Borman
    Picacho Aviation
    Awarded-CoRecipients

1969

  • R Walter Cunningham
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding contributions to the advancement of manned space flight during the eleven-day flight of Apollo 7.
  • Donn F Eisele
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding contributions to the advancement of manned space flight during the eleven-day flight of Apollo 7
  • CDR Walter M Schirra Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding contributions to the advancement of manned space flight during the eleven-day flight of Apollo 7.

1968

  • MAJ Virgil I Grissom
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the science of manned space flight

1967

  • Mr. Edward G White
    AEDC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution during the four-day mission of Gemini IV under going great personal risk in the advancement of space flight

1966

  • Neil A Armstrong
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the technology of mans spaceflight at great personal risk, demonstrating man's capability in spacecraft control and flexibility in operational proficiency in orbital flight
  • David R Scott
    Awarded-CoRecipients
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the technology of mans spaceflight at great personal risk, demonstrating man's capability in spacecraft control and flexibility in operational proficiency in orbital flight

1965

  • Maj Gen Joseph S Bleymaier
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exceptional direction of the Tital III space booster, research and development program

1964

  • Walter C Williams
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding and continuing achievement in successful aerospace systems operations.

1963

  • MAJ L Gordon Cooper
    Awarded-CoRecipients
  • CDR Walter M Schirra Jr.
    Awarded-CoRecipients

1962

  • John H Glenn
    John Glenn School of Public Affairs
    Awarded

1961

  • Mr. Alan C Shepard
    Awarded

1960

  • Mr. A. S Crossfield
    Awarded

1959

  • Walter R Dornberger
    Awarded

1958

  • Ivan C Kincheloe Jr.
    Awarded

1957

  • Krafft Ehricke
    Awarded

1956

  • Joseph A Kaplan
    NASA-Langley Research Center
    Awarded

1955

  • Wernher von Braun
    Awarded

1954

  • Theodore von Karman
    Awarded