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Stuhlinger Medal for Outstanding Achievement

The Stuhlinger Medal, whose official name is the "Ernst Stuhlinger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Electric Propulsion", is the highest honor in the field of electric propulsion for spacecraft bestowed by the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS), the main professional society in that field, to persons who made outstanding contributions to the science, technology, or development of electric propulsion.

A.  Description

The Ernst Stuhlinger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Electric Propulsion is the highest distinction given by the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS) in recognition of outstanding technical or leadership contributions in Electric Propulsion engineering, science, technology, education, management, information exchange, or influencing programs that have led to important advancement in the field.  The award is presented at the IEPC.

B.  Administration

Prior to each IEPC, the ERPS Board of Directors will appoint the Medal Committee Chair, who will be a previous recipient of the Medal.  The Committee Chair will form a Medal Committee comprised of other previous Medal recipients.

C.  Eligibility

Living individuals who have demonstrated sustained contributions to Electric Propulsion for at least 10 years.

D.  Basis for Judgment

Nominees will be ranked based on the following judging criteria:

1.    Importance of the candidate's technical or leadership contributions (50 points). Technical contributions including conceptual, theoretical, or experimental efforts. Leadership contributions include educational, informational exchanges (e.g., short-courses, conferences), programmatic efforts, and influencing the direction of the community.

2.    Importance of the contributions of teams led by the candidate (30 points).

3.    Quality and significance of publications and patents (10 points).

4.    Technical or leadership distinction over an extended time (10 points).

E.  Nominee Solicitation

Nominations are requested and subsequently reviewed by the Medal Committee. The initial call for nominations will be distributed by e-mail to all ERPS members within one year of the upcoming IEPC.  This call will be distributed with sufficient time to permit the assembly of quality nomination packages. The Medal Committee Chair will set the due date for receipt of nominations, and this date will be distributed with the nomination solicitation.

F.  Selection

The Medal Committee timetable for selection(s) must leave sufficient time to permit the preparation of the Medal(s) and other award materials for presentation at the IEPC.