Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal 2026

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 Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal 2026 is bestowed to

Franco Bernelli-Zazzera

Prof. Franco Bernelli received a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 1990.

In November 1992 he became Associate Professor, and in March 2001 Full Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where he currently teaches and performs research in the fields of space flight mechanics and aerospace control systems.

At Politecnico di Milano, he has been Erasmus coordinator in Aerospace Engineering for 14 years, deputy Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering for 8 years, Director of studies in Aerospace Engineering for 1 year, Director of the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology for 4 years.

Franco Bernelli has been Chairman of PEGASUS, the European network of Aerospace Universities, for 4 years, President of the Council of European Aerospace Societies for 4 years, and has coordinated the PERSEUS project, supported within the Horizon2020 program and aiming at defining measures to improve the quality of the European aerospace graduates.

Franco Bernelli is currently the Rector’s delegate for the international relations of the School of Industrial and Information Engineering at Politecnico di Milano.