Annual initiative honors 30 young innovators shaping the future of space exploration, development, and settlement

The National Space Society (NSS) announced the launch of its inaugural “NSS 30 Under 30” program at its International Space Development Conference (ISDC) last week. This new annual initiative will identify, celebrate, and amplify the contributions of emerging leaders who are shaping the future of space exploration, development, and settlement, while helping others to identify their own strengths and abilities.

Each year, the “NSS 30 Under 30” program will honor 30 individuals under the age of 30 who are making meaningful contributions across the full spectrum of the space ecosystem. Reflecting the extraordinary breadth of today’s space industry, the program is open to professionals and students from a wide range of disciplines. These include business, academic, governmental, and non-profit roles.

NSS president Isaac Arthur commented, “The next generation of space leaders is already here. The ‘NSS 30 Under 30’ program reflects our commitment to finding the next space leaders, celebrating them, and connecting them with the community working to make humanity a spacefaring civilization.”

Nominations for the “NSS 30 Under 30” program are now open. Candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by peers, mentors, colleagues, or organizations. Selections will be made based on four key criteria: demonstrated impact, future potential, relevance to space development, and the merit of the nominee’s work.

Honorees will receive national recognition through NSS platforms including featured profiles on the NSS website, coverage in Ad Astra magazine—the NSS quarterly publication reaching space enthusiasts and professionals worldwide—and media opportunities that elevate their voices within the broader space community. The program is specifically designed to increase the visibility of emerging talent, foster connections across the industry, and inspire the next generation of contributors to the space sector.

The “NSS 30 Under 30” program is a cornerstone initiative of the NSS’s Young Professionals program, the organization’s broader effort to engage, develop, and retain early-career professionals in the space sector. By creating dedicated pathways for recognition and community, NSS reaffirms its long-standing commitment to cultivating the human capital essential to realizing its vision of a spacefaring civilization.

How to Nominate

See the NSS Young Professionals web page and the 30 Under 30 nominations page. Nominations are now open and self and third-party nominations are welcome.