Canadian Astronaut Julie Payette Awarded NASA Exceptional Service Medal

On June 25, 2010, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Julie Payette the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in recognition of her sustained superior performance in spaceflight.

The NASA Honor Awards Ceremony was held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Canadian Astronaut recruit David Saint-Jacques accepted the award on behalf of Ms. Payette.

The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is an award granted to individuals for significant sustained performance characterized by initiative and creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvements in engineering, aeronautics, spaceflight, administration, support, or space-related endeavours, which contribute to NASA programs. Marc Garneau, Steve MacLean, Chris Hadfield and Dave Williams have been awarded this NASA medal in the past.