“Click on the Award Titles below to view the award and selection criteria.”

Distinguished Public Service Medal (DPSM)

Is awarded to any individual who is not an employee of the Federal Government or was not a Government employee during the period in which the service was performed. The award is granted only to individuals whose distinguished accomplishments contributed substantially to the NASA mission. The contribution must have been so extraordinary that other forms of recognition by NASA would be inadequate. This is the highest honor that NASA confers on a non-Government individual.

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Is awarded to any individual in the Federal service who, by distinguished service, ability, or courage has personally made a contribution representing substantial progress to the NASA mission in the interest of the United States. The contribution must have been so extraordinary that other forms of recognition by NASA would be inadequate. This is the highest honor that NASA confers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Medal (EEOM)

Is awarded to both Government and non-Government individuals for outstanding achievement and material contribution to the goals of NASA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Programs either within the Government or within community organizations or groups.

Exceptional Public Service Medal (EPSM)

Is awarded to any individual who was not a Government employee during the period in which the service was performed. The award is given for exceptional contributions to NASA’s mission.

Exceptional Achievement Medal (EAM)

Is awarded to any individual in the Federal service for a significant, specific accomplishment or substantial improvement in operations, efficiency, service, financial savings, science, or technology which contributes to NASA’s mission.

Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal (EAAM)

Is awarded to any individual in the Federal service (NASA Classification 500 Group clerical/assistant and related support positions only) for a significant, specific accomplishment or contribution characterized by unusual initiative or creativity that clearly demonstrates a substantial improvement in administrative support contributing to NASA’s mission.

Exceptional Bravery Medal (EBM)

Is awarded to both Government and non-Government individuals for exemplary and courageous handling of an emergency by an individual who, independent of personal danger, has acted to prevent the loss of human life and/or Government property.

Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal (EEAM)

Is awarded to both Government and non-Government individuals for unusually significant engineering contributions toward achieving NASA’s mission. This award may be given for individual efforts or application of engineering principles/methods that have resulted in contributions of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly enhanced the understanding of this field.

Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (ESAM)

Is awarded to both Government and non-Government individuals for an unusually significant scientific contribution toward achieving NASA’s mission. This award may be given for individual efforts that have resulted in a contribution of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly enhanced the understanding of this field.

Exceptional Service Medal (ESM)

Is awarded for significant, sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvements or contributions in engineering, aeronautics, spaceflight, administration, support, or space-related endeavors that contribute to NASA’s mission.

Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (ETAM)

Is awarded to both Government and non-Government individuals for technology contributions achieved in one of the following areas: early technology development significantly contributing to NASA’s mission; exemplary collaborative effort in achieving significant technology transfer; or, exceptional utilization of a NASA-developed technology resulting in a significant commercial application.

Group Achievement Award (GAA)

Is awarded to either a group of Government employees or a group comprised of both Government and non-Government personnel for an outstanding accomplishment through the coordination of many individual efforts which have contributed substantially to NASA’s mission.

Certificate of Appreciation (COA)

Is awarded to both Government and non-government individuals in recognition of outstanding accomplishment which has contributed substantially to NASA’s mission.

Outstanding Leadership Medal (OLM)

Is awarded for notably outstanding leadership that affects technical or administrative programs of NASA at an organizational, directorate, Agency, Government, or industry level. It is awarded for the sustained contributions of a leader’s effectiveness in advancing the Agency’s quality result and building the organization’s capacity for future performance while exemplifying NASA values in the work environment.

Public Service Group Achievement Award (PSGAA)

Is awarded to a group of non-Government personnel for an outstanding accomplishment while participating in a significant program or project that has contributed substantially to NASA’s mission.

Space Flight Medal (SFM)

Is awarded to Space Transportation System (STS) flight crewmembers (civil and military astronauts, mission specialists, payload specialists, and civilians) to recognize individual participation in an STS flight mission. The medal is granted for participation in initial flight. The NASA Space Flight Cluster is awarded for subsequent flight(s).