Space Force Association opens 2026 Spacepower Excellence Awards nominations

The Space Force Association is accepting nominations for its 2026 awards program, which recognizes innovation, education, media and human exploration in the space domain. Winners will be honored at the Spacepower Excellence Awards Gala in Orlando in December, with nominations due Oct. 12, 2026.

Why it matters: - The Space Force Association’s awards program highlights people and organizations shaping U.S. spacepower across technical, educational and cultural fields. - The 2026 awards add another round of recognition for Guardians, civilians, Reservists, companies, nonprofits and chapters. - Winners will be recognized at a public gala during the 4th annual Spacepower Conference, giving the program a national stage.

What happened: - The Space Force Association opened nominations for its 2026 Spacepower Excellence Awards. - Public nominations are open for Innovation, Engineering and Space Technology; Leadership in Education; and Journalism, Literature, Media and the Arts. - Nominations are due Oct. 12, 2026. - Winners will be honored Dec. 8-10, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando during the Spacepower Excellence Awards Gala, part of the 4th annual Spacepower Conference. - More information and nomination details are available here.

The details: - The awards recognize individuals and organizations across multiple disciplines that the Space Force Association says are shaping the future of spacepower. - The program includes the Spacepower Excellence Awards for top United States Space Force Guardians, alongside the broader nomination-based awards. - Awards presented since 2024 have gone to 32 individuals, including civilians, Guardians and Reservists, and to 11 companies, nonprofits and chapters. - The awards committee chair, Mark Dreiling, said the association wants to honor trailblazers whose vision, leadership and innovation are accelerating human progress and U.S. space capabilities.

Between the lines: - The award categories show the Space Force Association is trying to broaden recognition beyond military performance alone. - The inclusion of media, arts and education suggests the group sees spacepower as a public narrative and talent-development issue, not just a defense one. - The nomination process also gives industry, academia and the public a direct way to elevate contributors before the December conference.

What's next: - Nominations remain open through Oct. 12, 2026. - The Space Force Association will announce and honor winners at the December gala in Orlando. - The 4th annual Spacepower Conference is scheduled for Dec. 8-10, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando.