Space Data Association Opens Nominations for Annual T.S. Kelso Award
(L-R) Joe Chan, Lyn Melcher, David Melcher, Andrew D'Uva
The Space Data Association (SDA) has opened nominations for its annual T.S. Kelso Award. The award is presented by the SDA to recognise significant, forward-thinking, and lasting contributions that drive progress in space safety and the protection of the space environment.
The T.S. Kelso award acknowledges and celebrates substantial, innovative, long-term, and practical original contributions to the advancement of space safety, and also the preservation of the space environment in one or more of the following space disciplines: operations, applied research, technology, law, or policy.
In 2025, Diana McKissock was posthumously awarded the fifth T.S. Kelso award for her outstanding impact on the industry, in which she strived for transparency and data sharing in the interests of the safety of flight and sustainability of space. Diana brought together military, civil, commercial and academic space operators from all over the world to advance space domain awareness and spaceflight safety. Her tireless dedication at 18th Space Defense Squadron saw the introduction of new techniques to predict, detect, process and catalogue breakups, transforming the level of information available to organisations like Space Data Association. Previous winners include Prof. Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, 2024, EUSST, 2023, Dr. Holger Krag, 2022, and T.S. Kelso, 2021.
David Zamora, Chairman, Space Data Association, commented: “Our industry has many talented and innovative individuals and institutions championing the responsible and safe use of space. In an increasingly complex environment, we continue to see exceptional innovation and collaboration. We look forward to recognising and celebrating these contributions through the T.S. Kelso Award.”
The SDA welcomes nominations for an individual or, if shared, multiple individuals, teams, or organisations. Awards should be submitted via the website along with a description of the contribution made by the nominee(s) and the reason they deserve to win the award.
The closing date for nominations is July 13th.