Awards

In an effort to honor the fascinating individuals who make impactful contributions to America’s space program, the National Space Club Florida Committee recognizes them with special awards and honors.

The selection process commences a few months before the honor is bestowed and the nomination form is made available online. Nominations are only accepted through the online form.

Please note: You do not have to be a member of the NSCFL to make a nomination or to be nominated!

Each selected honoree will receive recognition at an NSCFL event, a certificate of achievement or trophy to take home, and their name etched in granite on the NSCFL’s Hall of Fame Award Pylon which is on display at the U.S. Space Walk of Fame in Titusville, FL.

Space Heroes and Legends Award

This award (formerly known as the Debus Award) recognizes a person who has made a particularly important contribution to the space program during the past year while working on Florida’s Space Coast. This prestigious award is presented during a formal, black-tie-optional dinner each April at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Forrest S. McCartney National Defense Space Award

Named for US Air Force lieutenant general and former director of the Kennedy Space Center, this award was created to recognize significant contributions to national defense in a space-related area by personnel on duty in the State of Florida. Honorees may be an active duty officer, enlisted person, civil servant, or contractor from any Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, or contractor organization. This award is presented during our January luncheon.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes the contributions of experienced people who have spent much of their career dedicated to making a difference in the space program. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
Submit A Nomination
See Criteria and Past Winners
See Criteria and Past Winners

Rising Star Award

Started in 2011, this award recognizes “above & beyond” accomplishments of young achievers who have made significant contributions to the space industry in Florida through either technical, education, or leadership aerospace related activities. This award is presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

Harry Kolcum Memorial News and Communications Award

​Named for the late aerospace writer who worked for Aviation Week Space Technology, this award recognizes area news media and other communications professionals for excellence in telling the space story along Florida’s Space Coast and throughout the world. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

Space Worker Hall of Fame

​The NSCFL Space Worker Hall of Fame honors those who made significant contributions to our space program in all areas of launch and mission operations including Space Launch Technology, Space Flight Support, Human Spaceflight Advancement and Space Flight Advocacy and Education. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
See Criteria and Past Winners
See Criteria and Past Winners

Space Heroes and Legends Award


This award (formerly known as the Debus Award) recognizes a person who has made a particularly important contribution to the space program during the past year while working on Florida’s Space Coast. This prestigious award is presented during a formal, black-tie-optional dinner each April at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

See Criteria and Past Winners

Forrest S. McCartney National Defense Space Award

Named for US Air Force lieutenant general and former director of the Kennedy Space Center, this award was created to recognize significant contributions to national defense in a space-related area by personnel on duty in the State of Florida. Honorees may be an active duty officer, enlisted person, civil servant, or contractor from any Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, or contractor organization. This award is presented during our January luncheon.

See Criteria and Past Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes the contributions of experienced people who have spent much of their career dedicated to making a difference in the space program. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
Submit A Nomination

Rising Star Award

Started in 2011, this award recognizes “above & beyond” accomplishments of young achievers who have made significant contributions to the space industry in Florida through either technical, education, or leadership aerospace related activities. This award is presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
Submit a Nomination

Harry Kolcum Memorial News and Communications Award


Named for the late aerospace writer who worked for Aviation Week Space Technology, this award recognizes area news media and other communications professionals for excellence in telling the space story along Florida’s Space Coast and throughout the world. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
Submit a Nomination

Space Worker Hall of Fame


The NSCFL Space Worker Hall of Fame honors those who made significant contributions to our space program in all areas of launch and mission operations including Space Launch Technology, Space Flight Support, Human Spaceflight Advancement and Space Flight Advocacy and Education. These awards are presented during our Celebrate Space Awards Banquet in October.

See Criteria and Past Winners
Submit a Nomination