NASA Space Flight Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The NASA Space Flight Medal is a decoration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which is awarded to any astronaut or cosmonaut who performs a significant achievement or meritorious deed while engaged in a United States space mission.

The decoration is awarded to both military and civilian personnel and is authorized to any astronaut who serves in the capacity of pilot, mission specialist, payload specialist, or other space flight member. Multiple awards of the decoration are annotated either by award stars or oak leaf clusters, depending on the civilian or military status of the recipient and, if military, the branch of military service. The NASA Space Flight Medal is also authorized for wear on active uniforms of the United States military and is worn after all military decorations.

For those who perform an act of gallantry or heroic action, while engaged in a U.S. space mission, NASA also presents an award known as the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. This is separate award from the Medal of Honor which is a military decoration for extreme bravery.

See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military