On 23 March 2021, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world's largest aerospace technology association based in the USA, announced this year's award winners. Eight major awards, including the AIAA International Cooperation Award, will be presented at the AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Gala. The awards ceremony will be held virtually on 12 August 2021.

The AIAA International Cooperation Award has been presented to scientists since 1988 to recognise their significant contributions to aeronautics and/or space and their special commitment to international cooperation with project partners and organisations.

Prof. Dr. Frank Flechtner of the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ receives the prestigious AIAA International Cooperation Award. The AIAA's citation: " For outstanding leadership of the international consortium in the planning and implementation of the successful Earth gravity missions." In addition to Prof. Flechtner, Michael Watkins and Michael A. Gross from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Albert Zaglauer from Airbus Defence and Space receive this award for international cooperation.

With the AIAA International Cooperation Award, Prof. Dr. Frank Flechtner receives his eighth award for his scientific work and commitment. Prof. Flechtner has been working at the GFZ since 1992. He has headed Section 1.2 - Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field since 2010 and has been Professor of Physical Geodesy at the Technische Universität Berlin since 2013.

AIAA announcement:
https://www.aiaa.org/news/news/2021/03/23/aiaa-aerospace-spotlight-awards-gala-to-confer-top-honors