Published on July 6, 2026
IAF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 2026
Congratulations to the IAF Distinguished Service Award 2026 Recipients!
At the occasion of the IAF Spring Meetings 2026 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:
"For sustained leadership, technical excellence, and dedication to the prosperity of the Space Systems Committee of the International Astronautical Federation."
Reinhold BERTRAND
Senior Research and Technology Manager, ESA Space Safety Programme Office
"For two decades of leadership and exceptional volunteer efforts, as well as her career-long commitment to the IAF ideals and success."
"Awarded in recognition of his long-term commitment to the B4 Small Satellite Missions Symposium for over two decades."
Philip DAVIES
Managing Director, BySpace
"For enabling over 150 students and young professionals to participate in IAC and for leadership as Vice President and special advisor to the President of IAF."
"Pioneering leader in space communications and navigation through IAF leadership."
"Mr. John C. Mankins has generously supported the IAF and the IAC for some 30 years and in many roles, both while as a senior manager at NASA and within various IAF member organisations. John’s contributions have included organising, leading and contributing technical papers to numerous IAF events in general in the C (Technology) section and through his sustained and instrumental leadership including for many years as Chair in the C3 Space Power Committee."
"For 15 years of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Systems Committee, guiding international collaboration, advancing the technical direction of the committee, and championing diversity and inclusion—these are some of the distinguishing qualities of Ms. Prince’s enduring impact on the global space community."
"For his lifetime dedication to the Federation, including excellent management of IAC2005 as Executive Secretary of LOC, long time and enthusiastic activities in the technical and administrative committees (Space debris committee, CSAC and HAC) and the Bureau as Vice President."
"For her outstanding scientific contributions to fluid sciences in microgravity and her long-standing leadership and dedicated service to the IAF Microgravity Sciences and Processes Committee, the A2 Symposium, and the International Program Committee.
Valentina SHEVTSOVA
Head of the Research Group, Microgravity Research Centre of Free Brussels University (ULB)
"In recognition of Professor Teodoro Valente significant contributions to the Federation, including his crucial role as co- host of the IAC 2024, and his role as co-chair of the 2024 IAF Global Space Leader Summit.
"In recognition of Professor Yu Xiaozhou’s commitment to the IAF Space Universities Administrative Committee (SUAC) and his invaluable support to the IAF-CSA Space Universities Cubesat Challenge.
