Spirit of Yuri’s Night Award

The Award recognizes “a person or team that embodies the Yuri’s Night mission by using music and art to make space cool.”

The first eight awards were handcrafted from aerogels—a diverse class of ultralow density solids with properties unlike anything else. From superinsulation and supercapacitors to ultralight structures, sensors, and armor, aerogels make possible technologies that make our world better. Yuri’s Night thanks BuyAerogel.com for their generous support of the Spirit of Yuri’s Night Award.
Since 2019, MOVA Globes has provided a gently-spinning globe of Earth as the Spirit of Yuri’s Night Award.
2021
Inspiration4

This Spirit of Yuri’s Night Award was presented to the Crew of Inspiration4 for their exceptional work at making space exciting and relatable; from their crew selection, to their training, to sharing their mission with the world through their Netflix documentary Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space.

2020
OK Go
Damian Kulash is receiving the Spirit of Yuri's Night Award 2020 on behalf of the band OK Go's extraordinary talent to use Science in artistic expression. Upside Down and Inside Out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnTqZ68fI7Q

In recognition of the inspiring blend of art and science in the making of their music video for Upside Down and Inside Out (shot weightless in a parabolic aircraft!) and for supporting teachers with educational content through the OK Go Sandbox site. The site helps students learn through the joy, wonder, and fun of OK Go’s music videos.

Watch the presentation and acceptance by lead singer Damian Kulash during our 2021 Livestream event.

2019
Duran Duran

In recognition of the group’s influence on the style and aesthetics of space and the future, along with their incredible performance at the Kennedy Space Center to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

Watch the presentation and acceptance video by Nick Rhodes on behalf of the band.

2018
Elon Musk and SpaceX
In recognition of their work to inspire the world by putting a Tesla Roadster into space—and streaming live video of our planet!—using a test launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket.
2017
Anousheh Ansari
Anousheh Ansari and Loretta Whitesides Spirit of Yuris Night Award
In recognition of her work to enable social entrepreneurs to bring about radical change globally, with organizations such as X Prize, ASHOKA and the PARSA Community Foundation. She believes the key to a better future for humankind is in the hands of our young generation, and it is up to us to provide them with the right tools through education and as good role models. Through it all, Anousheh continues to quote Gandhi, one of her personal heroes, who said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
2016
Sascha Paladino
Sasha Paladino Spirit of Yuris Night Award

In recognition of his efforts to share the spirit of Yuri’s Night with a new generation as producer of the Disney Jr. show “Miles from Tomorrowland”.

The show included an episode titled "Yuri's Night" and was made free to watch in April in partnership with Yuri's Night!

[Read the story]

[Watch the trailer]s

2015
Dr. Alan Stern

In recognition of his hugely successful outreach efforts around the New Horizons mission to Pluto and for his ongoing support of Yuri’s Night.

2014
Bill Nye and the Planetary Society
Bill Nye Spirit of Yuris Night Award

In recognition of their decades-long commitment to using science and art to engage and inspire generations to--dare we say it?--change the world!

2013
Commander Chris Hadfield and the Canadian Space Agency

In recognition of their work combining artistry and spaceflight and supporting Yuri’s Night from the International Space Station.

2012
Dr. Pete Worden
Pete Worden Celestine Starr at Yuri's Night Bay Area 2007

In reconition of his support of innovative public outreach including Yuri’s Night Bay Area events.

2011
Ron Garan

In recognition of his insights on the Orbital Perspective and hosting the first major Yuri's Night party on the International Space Station!

2010
Richard Garriott
Richard Garriott Spirit of Yuris Night Award

In recognition of his unique efforts to share the wonder of space, using his personal trip to space to conduct scientific research, and conducting various art endeavors in space.

Dancing Snoopy Medal

The Yuri’s Night Board of Directors also periodically awards the “Dancing Snoopy Medal”, a medallion recognizing exemplary effort by Yuri’s Night Executive Team members, event organizers, and other volunteers. The Dancing Snoopy Medal was inspired by the Silver Snoopy Award, given by NASA astronauts to individuals for outstanding achievements. Yuri’s Night thanks United Media, Universal Uclick, and Peanuts Worldwide, LLC, for their generous permission to use the Astronaut Snoopy design in this limited fashion.