The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has awarded the AIAA International Cooperation Award to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) Director General Kuninaka Hitoshi.

AIAA is the world's largest aerospace technical society. The AIAA International Cooperation Award recognises recent achievements by AIAA members in the application of scientific and mathematical principles that have led to significant accomplishments or an event that merits the AIAA's national or international recognition.
Director General Kuninaka was selected for this award in recognition for the fundamental contributions to electric propulsion and leadership of the world's first asteroid sample return missions, as well as for fostering international cooperation and public interest in space exploration.

The AIAA awards will be presented at the AIAA Awards Gala that will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC in the USA on April 30, 2025.

Comment from JAXA ISAS Director General Kuninaka Hitoshi:
I would like to express my appreciation for this recognition of our achievements in electric propulsion and asteroid sample return, as well as our international cooperation and educational activities. I am especially proud of our international collaborations, through which we have been able to launch numerous joint projects with countries that include the USA, those in Europe, Australia, the UAE and South Korea.