Published on July 23, 2024
2024 IAF Hall of Fame and Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal
Discover the winners now!

2024 IAF Hall of Fame!
The IAF Hall of Fame is intended to create a standing forum of personalities that have contributed substantially to the progress of space science, technology and space benefits to humankind, within the framework of the IAF activities.
The IAF Hall of Fame for 2024 is bestowed to:
Iván Almár

Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT), Former President
Recognition of his lifelong contribution to the development of the Hungarian and international space sector; his activities in development of multi-language space terminology dictionary; the creation of the San Marino scale.
Edward Lu

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, LeoLabs
Co-Founder and Executive Director, B612 Foundation
Dr. Edward Lu, a former astronaut and serial co-founder, has dedicated his career to mapping and tracking the unknown and the unseen; preventing disasters both in space and on Earth.
Maria Antonietta Perino

Thales Alenia Space Italia, Director for Space Economy Exploration and International Network
A tireless pioneer of space exploration, workforce development and international teamwork.
Giorgio Saccoccia

European Space Agency (ESA), Senior Advisor to Director General
Giorgio Saccoccia has shown extensive and recognised dedication to the advancement of the Space sector, carried out internationally through a unique combination of institutional, technical, industrial and academic exposure, with a special attention always given to the mentoring of future generations of space professionals.
S. Somanath

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chairman
Mr. S. Somanath has made remarkable contributions to India's space program with his expertise in launch vehicle technologies and system engineering for the development of PSLV, LVM3, SSLV and also as the lead of ISRO team for Chandrayaan-3 mission to land near South Pole of moon, Aditya L1 solar mission and Gaganyaan qualification missions.
Learn more about IAF Hall of Fame
2024 Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal!
The Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal is presented annually to an educator who has demonstrated excellence in using his/her available resources to promote the study of astronautics and related space sciences.
The IAF Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal for 2024 is bestowed to:
As someone who has continually worked on academic small satellites since 1982, Prof. Twiggs has been known as the “Father of the CubeSat” as the co-developer, alongside Prof. Jordi Puig-Suari, of the CubeSat reference design and P-Pod Deployer for miniaturized satellites which has become the de-facto Industry Standard for smallsats with over 2,200 launched since 1998. Alongside the CubeSat, he was responsible for co-developing and promoting other original concepts such as the CricketSat, CanSat, ThinSat and the PocketQub for educational applications in space. Prof. Twiggs will provide a historical perspective of the development of the CubeSat concept and how it has found its place in the satellite community.