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.
This Spirit of Yuri’s Night Award was presented to the cast and crew of the sci-fi comedy series The Orville. The show made the future of exploration fun and relatable, while it also broached important topics that no other prime-time science fiction show was willing to discuss. The show evolved from a satirical homage to famous sci-fi franchises into being a unique glimpse into our possible future!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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!
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!
In reconition of his support of innovative public outreach including Yuri’s Night Bay Area events.
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.