Thomas Zurbuchen Is Honored for His Space Research

(CONNECT) Thomas Zurbuchen, Professor of Space Science and Technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) since 2023, has been presented with the AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management, as detailed by ETH in a press release. The astrophysicist is the first Swiss to be awarded the prize. The laudatory speech emphasizes his valuable contributions to the aerospace community.

Zurbuchen was Chief Scientist at the US space agency NASA from 2016 to 2022 and, in this role, initiated the launch of the James Webb Telescope and the Mars landings of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter. As head of research, the professor has demonstrated visionary leadership qualities: "His leadership has been instrumental in achieving important societal values such as improved weather and space weather forecasting, novel sensor technologies with broad applicability and the development of economic opportunities for new and existing US companies," the laudation reads.

The astrophysicist is also being honored for a multi-faceted training and engagement program designed to improve the quality and diversity of leadership in American science. "The award reflects the achievements of many exceptional individuals and teams that I have had the privilege of working with - colleagues who have turned bold visions into groundbreaking missions," says Zurbuchen.

The prize is awarded once or twice a year by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA ). The award ceremony will take place on July 22 in Las Vegas. ce/yes