Congressional Space Medal of Honor is the highest award given by NASA.
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize `` any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind . ''. United States Congress. United States Congress. astronaut. astronaut. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. The highest award given by NASA , it is awarded by the President of the United States in Congress 's name on recommendations from the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration .. NASA. NASA. President of the United States. President of the United States. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The award is a separate decoration from the Medal of Honor , which is a military award for extreme bravery and gallantry in combat .. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. Although the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a civilian award of the United States government , it is authorized as a military decoration for display on U.S. military uniforms due to the prestige of the decoration .. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. military decoration. Awards and decorations of the United States military. In such cases , the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is worn as a ribbon following all United States Armed Forces decorations .. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. United States Armed Forces. United States Armed Forces. To be awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor , an astronaut must perform feats of extraordinary accomplishment while participating in space flight under the authority of NASA .. NASA. NASA. astronaut. astronaut. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. space flight. space flight. Typically , the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is awarded for scientific discoveries or actions of tremendous benefit to mankind .. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor. The decoration may also be awarded for extreme bravery during a space emergency or in preventing a major space disaster .. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor may also be presented posthumously to those astronauts who die while performing a US space mission ; and as of 2004 , all 17 astronauts killed on US missions have been awarded the medal .. Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor