Published on April 2, 2024
IAF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 2024
Congratulations to the IAF Distinguished Service Award 2024 Recipients!
At the occasion of the IAF Spring Meetings 2024 we are extremely pleased to present to you this year's IAF Distinguished Service Award Recipients!
The IAF Distinguished Service Award was established to acknowledge active IAF volunteers for their immense contributions to the progress of astronautics and the Federation. Our sincere appreciation goes to our winners for their dedicated work and continuous support to IAF Committees, IAF member organizations, the IAF Bureau and the IAF Secretariat.
Our sincere congratulations go to:
"Make International Cooperation in Space a Necessity for all"
"Merits honored to Maj. Gen (ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben Israel: Chairman of the Israeli Space Agency (ISA) for seventeen years (2005-2021), Member of the board of Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies (2000-2018), Member of the Board of SpaceIL moonshot, Head of IAF Operations Research Branch, Analysis and Assessment Division of IAF Intelligence and recipient of the Israel Air Force Award, for developing a C4 system (1976)"
"For exceptional service to the International Astronautical Federation for more than a decade as a delegate, author, Vice Chair, and Chair in connection with Earth Observation Committee, the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) Subcommittee and the Space Transportation Committee."
"For more than 80 years Mr George S. James has been, and still is, a true inspiration for the international space community; the youth - The IAF thrives because of visionaries, rocket engineers, like Mr. James."
"For promoting and involving countries with little capacity in satellite and space development in the Latin American and Caribbean Region in joint projects; also promoting their integration into the Federation."
"Awarded for his long term commitment and shaping of several IAF technical committees, including over 30 years in the Symposium on small satellites and founding the joint IAA/United Nations session on small satellites with its 30th session in 2024."
"If you don’t fail, it means you don’t try hard enough."
"In recognition of his long-term support to the International Astronautical Congress, as chairman of sessions in the B4 Small Satellite Symposium and c o-creator of the B5 sessions on Integrated Space Applications."
Larry PAXTON
PhD Astrophysical, Planetary and Atmospheric Sciences, JHU · Applied Physics Laboratory
"For exceptional service to the International Astronautical Federation over a decade as a delegate and member, and as a leader in creating strong collaboration between the IAF and other international organizations."
Barbara J. RYAN
Executive Director, World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC)
United States
"For her exceptional service and dedication to the IAF, strengthening industry involvement and developing IAF diversity initiatives, and creating a more robust, diverse Federation."