IAF Young Space Leaders (YSL) Recognition Programme
The IAF Young Space Leaders (YSL) Recognition Programme is awarded to exceptional students and young professionals, who contribute to astronautics in their academic or early careers, reach out to other young people and their communities to share knowledge and experiences, have been engaged with the international space community and contribute to IAF activities.
The IAF is proud to introduce the 2025 IAF Young Space Leaders!
The IAF Young Space Leaders Recognition Programme is awarded to exceptional students and young professionals, who contribute to astronautics in their academic or early careers, reach out to other young people and their communities to share knowledge and experiences, have been engaged with the international space community and contribute to IAF activities.
The 2025 IAF Young Space Leaders were chosen by a selection committee during the IAF Spring Meetings in March. They will be presented with their award during the Closing Ceremony of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) - IAC 2025, in Sydney, Australia which will take place from 29 September to 3 October 2025. Awardees also attend the IAC Gala Dinner as guests of the IAF President and enjoy a free IAC registration.
Past YSL Winners
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
2021 Winners
Marco GOMEZ-JENKINS
Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellow, University of Cambridge
Costa Rica
Ayami KOJIMA
Unit Chief of International Affairs, National Space Policy Secretariat (NSPS)
2020 Winners
2019 Winners
2018 Winners
2017 Winners
Timiebi AGANABA JEANTY
Assistant Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Appointed at the Sandra Day O Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
United States
2016 Winners
Andrea BOYD
Deputy Lead of Astronaut Operations and EUROCOM, stationed at the European Astronaut Centre
Germany
2015 Winners
Ryan L. KOBRICK
Integrated Product Team Lead, Paragon Space Development Corporation
United States
Lulu MAKAPELA
Strategic Programmes Contracts Manager for SA-GEO, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
South Africa
2014 Winners
Yusuke MURAKI
Strategic Space Producer, Space Entertainment Promotion Office, Sony Group Corporation
Japan
