Nominations Open for 2024 James E. Hill Award
Recognizes Lifetime Achievement in Space
Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 for the global space ecosystem, today announced that it is now accepting nominations for its highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award.
Awarded in honor of Space Foundation’s late, longtime chairman, Gen. James E. Hill, USAF (Ret.), the accolade recognizes outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves through lifetime contributions of 20 years or more to humankind through exploration, development and use of space or through use of space technology, and information or resources in academic, cultural, industrial or other pursuits of broad benefit to humanity.
Nominations must be received between Sept. 21 and Dec. 1, 2023. Any person may nominate a candidate for the award, however, individuals may not nominate themselves. Nominees and their contributions must be judged to be of the highest caliber and of national or international significance by the board of directors of Space Foundation. The award will be presented at Space Foundation’s Space Symposium, to be held April 8-11, 2024, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must meet at least two of the following measures:
Significantly advanced state-of-the-art space technology
Significantly advanced humankind’s understanding of space or space technology
Significantly contributed to public understanding of, or support for, space endeavors
Significantly and positively shaped governmental policy toward space
Effectively interpreted, through visual or other communicative arts, the majesty and importance of space
Effectively provided — by management, advocacy or design—significant, enduring or crucial space systems or infrastructure
Effectively employed space technologies, research systems or space-derived data to improve the human condition through the artistic, scientific or humanistic endeavor
Space Foundation’s mission is to be the preeminent advocate and gateway for lifelong education, trusted information, and seamless collaboration for all people and organizations engaging in space exploration and space-inspired industries that drive the global space ecosystem. Nominees must exemplify Space Foundation’s mission by meeting at least three of the following criteria:
Written or published papers, textbooks, articles, etc., relating to the exploration, development or utilization of space or has spoken in public forums such as conferences and symposia
Promoted and disseminated information about space exploration, development or utilization through any medium
Been active with non-space-related groups — whether professional, fraternal, industrial, academic or community-based — resulting in a transfer of space knowledge to other professions or groups
Been active in community or public service not related to normal job responsibilities
Volunteered or otherwise contributed significant or extended effort on behalf of Space Foundation and its mission
To submit a nomination, send a letter by standard mail or via email, not to exceed two pages in length, to:
Rich Cooper
Vice President – Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation Washington, D.C., Office
1700 North Moore Street
Ste. 1105
Arlington, VA 22209
rcooper@spacefoundation.org
Upon ratification by Space Foundation’s board of directors, the honoree will be notified immediately in writing. Questions may be directed to Rich Cooper via email at his above-noted address.
Recent recipients include:
2023 Daniel S. Goldin, NASA’s longest-serving administrato
2022 Joanne Maguire, first female executive vice president, Lockheed Martin
2021 Patti Grace Smith, FAA official, private space travel advocate
2020 Eugene F. “Gene” Kranz, former NASA flight director