This subpart establishes procedures for nominating an astronaut for the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

(a) The standard of award for the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is established by Pub. L. 91-76 (42 U.S.C. 2461) which provides that the President may award the Medal to any “astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and of mankind.”

(b) Only one Congressional Space Medal of Honor may be awarded to a person. However, for each succeeding act that would otherwise justify the award of the Medal, the President may award a suitable bar or other device.

(c) The Medal may be awarded to any person who is or has been designated to travel in space and who has distinguished himself or herself while undertaking duties in preparation for, execution of, or subsequent to, but in connection with, a space flight.

(d) The Medal may be awarded for actions occurring before the effective date of this subpart 1221.2, and, when appropriate, posthumously.

The description of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, which was designed by the Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army, is set forth in appendix A to this subpart. Each person awarded the Medal also shall receive a citation describing the basis for the award.

(a) Formal nominations for award of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on behalf of NASA will be made by the Administrator to the President.

(b) Any person may recommend to the Administrator that an astronaut be nominated for award of the Medal. Such a recommendation must be in writing, and must describe in concise detail the events believed to warrant award of the Medal. The recommendation should, if appropriate, be accompanied by supporting documentation, such as eyewitness statements, extracts from official records, sketches, photographs, etc.

(c) All recommendations for nominations submitted to the Administrator or made on his own initiative will be referred to the NASA Incentive Awards Board for the purpose of investigating and making findings of fact and giving advice to the Administrator.

(d) Any recommendation involving an astronaut who is a member of the armed services on active duty or who is employed by another agency of the Federal Government but temporarily assigned or detailed to NASA shall also be transmitted to the Secretary of Defense or the head of the employing agency, as appropriate, for his or her recommendation.

(e) The Administrator will forward to the President his recommendation, and that of the astronaut's employing agency, as appropriate.

The NASA Incentive Awards Board shall thoroughly consider the facts giving rise to a recommendation for nomination and shall prepare a report for the Administrator. The Board should, to the extent practicable, coordinate its efforts with those of the astronaut's employing agency, as appropriate. Its final report must take into account any pertinent information submitted by the employing agency.