IAF World Space Award

The IAF World Space Award is presented for an outstanding contribution or contributions in space science, space technology, space medicine, space law or space management of exceptional impact to the world’s progress in astronautics.

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is pleased to announce the opening of the Call for Nominations for its 2024 IAF World Space Award, the Federation’s most prestigious award, that recognizes a most eminent person (Category A) and/or team (Category B) who has made an exceptional impact to the progress of the world space activities through their outstanding contribution in space science, space technology, space medicine, space law, or space management.

2025 Call for Nominations - CLOSED

Award Recipients

ISRO Chandrayaan-3 Team

2024 Award Recipient

"Chandrayaan-3 mission by Indian Space Research Organisation exemplifies the synergy of scientific curiosity and cost-effective engineering, symbolizing India's commitment to excellence and the vast potential that space exploration offers humanity. Rapidly unveiling previously undiscovered facets of the Moon's composition and geology, the mission stands as a global testament to innovation. Achieving a historic milestone, Chandrayaan-3 becomes the first to touch down near the lunar South Pole, showcasing both aspiration and technological prowess on an international scale.”

Elon Musk

2023 Award Recipient (for individuals)

Elon MUSK

Founder, CEO, CTO, SpaceX

United States

“Mr. Elon Reeve Musk has shown a visionary understanding of the role and importance of astronautics to humanity's future combined with a willingness to commit his own resources, life and drive and ability to make it happen through Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX); a company that has matched the achievements of the Space Agencies in the fields of launch systems and human spaceflight, making space affordable and building space for @ll.”

NASA, ESA, CSA James Webb Space Telescope Team

2023 Award Recipient (for teams)

“This nomination of the NASA, ESA, CSA James Webb Space Telescope Team for the World Space Award Category B for Teams is based on the following exceptional merits:

Webb is the world’s premier space science observatory that has already transformed our understanding of the universe in its first year of operation.
Led by NASA, ESA and CSA, more than 20,000 team members from 14 countries have contributed to mission success.
Scientific opportunities and data from Webb are available globally, with several papers being submitted daily for scientific peer review and publication.
In addition to the science, Webb has demonstrated the benefits of international cooperation, practical applications from cutting edge technological development, and global inspiration from discovery.”