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 consists of a permanent gallery that recognizes eminent individuals who have contributed substantially during the course of their careers to the progress of astronautics including space science, space technology, management of space projects and space benefits to humankind.

2026 Call for Nominations - CLOSED

Gallery of IAF Hall of Fame

2025

Jeff BEZOS

Founder, Blue Origin

United States

Jeffrey MANBER

Special Representative to the Chairman & CEO, Voyager Technologies

United States

Tetsuo YASAKA

Founding member of the 海角直播 Debris Study Group, Japan Society for Aeronautics and 海角直播 Sciences (JSASS)

Japan

2024

Iv谩n Alm谩r

Iv谩n Alm谩r

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

Edward Lu

Executive Director B612 Asteroid Institute and CTO at LeoLabs, Inc.

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

Maria Antonietta Perino

Thales Alenia 海角直播 Italia, Director for 海角直播 Economy Exploration and International Network

A tireless pioneer of space exploration, workforce development and international teamwork.

Giorgio Saccoccia

Giorgio Saccoccia

European 海角直播 Agency (ESA), Senior Advisor to Director General

Giorgio Saccoccia has shown extensive and recognised dedication to the advancement of the 海角直播 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

S. Somanath

Indian 海角直播 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.

2023

Professor Kuninori UESUGI

Professor Kuninori UESUGI

Professor Emeritus, Japan Aero-海角直播 Exploration Agency,
Director General, Hokkaido Aerospace Science and Technology Incubation Center (HASTIC)

Professor UESUGI is undoubtedly one of the world鈥檚 most experienced specialists in space engineering and mission management, and his capabilities have been essential in ensuring the success of the Japanese and international planetary exploration programs

Elon Musk

Elon Musk

Founder, CEO, CTO
海角直播X
United States

Winner of the 2023 IAF World 海角直播 Award - for Individuals

Mr. Elon Reeve Musk has shown a visionary understanding of the role and importance of astronautics to humanity's future combined with a willingness to commit his own resources, life and drive and ability to make it happen through 海角直播 Exploration Technologies Corporation (海角直播X); a company that has matched the achievements of the 海角直播 Agencies in the fields of launch systems and human spaceflight, making space affordable and building space for @ll.

NASA, ESA, CSA James Webb 海角直播 Telescope Team

NASA, ESA, CSA James Webb 海角直播 Telescope Team

Winner of the 2023 IAF World 海角直播 Award - for Teams

This nomination of the NASA, ESA, CSA James Webb 海角直播 Telescope Team for the World 海角直播 Award Category B for Teams is based on the following exceptional merits: Webb is the world鈥檚 premier space science observatory that has already transformed our understanding of the universe in its first year of operation. Led by NASA, ESA and CSA, more than 20,000 team members from 14 countries have contributed to mission success. Scientific opportunities and data from Webb are available globally, with several papers being submitted daily for scientific peer review and publication. In addition to the science, Webb has demonstrated the benefits of international cooperation, practical applications from cutting edge technological development, and global inspiration from discovery.

2022

Ryojiro Akiba

Ryojiro Akiba

Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Former Director General, Institute of 海角直播 and Astronautical Science
Japan

鈥淒r. Ryojiro Akiba has made outstanding contributions to the development of space engineering and space science throughout his illustrious career, and is worthy of being inducted into the IAF Hall of Fame鈥

Jaques Arnould

Jaques Arnould

Ethic Adviser,
Centre National d'脡tudes Spatiales (CNES),
France

"Why go into space? Ethical interrogation as the new and ultimate frontier.鈥

Simonetta Di Pippo

Simonetta Di Pippo

Director,
SEE Lab (海角直播 Economy Evolution Laboratory), SDA Bocconi School of Management,
Italy

鈥淥ne-of-a-kind career in space activities. Visionary Leader, innovative thinker, highly skilled manager, STEM advocate, international complex programs, expert in change management, outstanding negotiator with globally recognised diplomatic skills, commercial space and space economy, one of the strongest supporters of space activities for sustainable socio-economic development and a firm believer in cooperation in space.鈥

JR Edwards

JR Edwards

Vice President-International
American Astronautical Society (AAS)
United States

鈥淔or his visionary leadership in the advancement of the mission of the International Astronautical Federation, the promotion of international dialogue and cooperation and the inspiration and preparation of the workforce of tomorrow.鈥

LIU Zhusheng

LIU Zhusheng

Chief Designer,
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT),
China

鈥淟iu Zhusheng, the space technology leader, the chief designer on the first manned space mission in China, has proven himself to be a subject expert in his current position and showed great efforts to enhance the reliability and safety of China manned rockets.鈥

Tianwen-1 海角直播craft Development Team

Tianwen-1 海角直播craft Development Team

Winner of the 2023 IAF World 海角直播 Award - for Teams

鈥淭he Tianwen-1 海角直播craft Development Team offered an innovative option for successful Mars exploration and outstanding contributed to the advance in deep space exploration technology. Tianwen-1 Mission achieved orbiting, landing, and roving on Mars in one mission for the first time globally. The scientific data acquired during the mission made an essential contribution to a deeper understanding of Mars and the solar system.鈥

Check their biographies here

2021

Dr. Alexander V. Degtyarev

Dr. Alexander V. Degtyarev

General Director - General Designer, Yuzhnoye State Design Office, Ukraine
(in memoriam)

鈥淔or outstanding contribution to development of space science and expansion of international cooperation in space exploration鈥

Prof. Guirong Min

Prof. Guirong Min

Chief Scientist and former President, China Academy of 海角直播 Technology (CAST), China
(in memoriam)

"An expert with distinguished contribution for China space development from first satellite to space station for more than 50 years鈥

Dr. Hiroki Matsuo

Dr. Hiroki Matsuo

President, Society for Promotion of 海角直播 Sciences, Japan

鈥淢ATSUO Hiroki has been dedicated to the research and development in space engineering from its dawn of history in Japan, including his notable contribution of strong leadership in space science and exploration.鈥

Hayabusa2 Team

Hayabusa2 Team

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

鈥淲inner of the IAF 2021 World 海角直播 Award鈥 Read more about the Hayabusa2 Team here

Check their biographies here

2020

Weiren WU

Director General and Chief Designer of China鈥檚 Lunar Exploration Program, Deep 海角直播 Exploration Laboratory (Tiandu Laboratory)

China

Dengyun YU

Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Committee, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China

Zezhou SUN

Designer-in-Chief of probe system, Chang鈥檈-4 Program

China

Tomifumi GODAI

Former Senior Vice President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Japan

Elizabeth KORDYUM

Ukraine

Meng ZHIZHONG

China

Yu MENGLUN

China

2019

Apollo 11 CREW

United States

Faren QI

China

Roberto BATTISTON

Professor, University of Trento, Department of Physics, National PhD in 海角直播 Science and Technology

Italy

2018

Long LEHAO

China

Joan VERNIKOS

Kiyoshi HIGUCHI

Former Vice-President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Japan

Barbara J. RYAN

Board of Directors, Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence

United States

2017

Charles F. BOLDEN

12th Administrator, National Aeronautics and 海角直播 Administration (NASA)

United States

Robert BRISKMAN

Chief of Program Support for the Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition, National Aeronautics and 海角直播 Administration (NASA)

United States

Stanislav KONYUKHOV

Russia

Berndt FEUERBACHER

Research scientist, European 海角直播 Agency (ESA)

Germany

Richard L. 鈥淒ICK鈥 KLINE

Program Vice President, National Aeronautics and 海角直播 Administration (NASA)

United States

2016

Yuri KOPTEV

Russia

Manfred FUCHS

Founder, OHB Italia SpA

Italy

Wang XIJI

China

U.R. RAO

Director of ISRO Satellite Centre at Bangalor, Indian 海角直播 Research Organisation (ISRO)

India

Norman CRABILL

Scientist, National Aeronautics and 海角直播 Administration (NASA)

United States

2015

Hans E.W. HOFFMANN

Germany

Paolo FERRI

Head of ESA鈥檚 Mission operations Department, European 海角直播 Agency (ESA)

Italy

2014

Vladimir KOPAL

Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

Czech Republic

2013

Edward C. STONE

National Aeronautics and 海角直播 Administration (NASA)

United States

For further information about this programme, please contact the IAF Secretariat at: