The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is awarded for significant, sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvements or contributions in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support, or space-based endeavors that contribute to the NASA mission.

NASA Exceptional Service Medal 1992

George Helou - in recognition of exceptional leadership in the design and implementation of the NASA/IPAC extragalactic database.

NASA Exceptional Service Medal 1989

Howard McCallon - In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the design, analysis, and operational use of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) Position Reconstruction Software.

NASA Exceptional Service Medal 1985

Charles Beichman - for a variety of contributions to the IRAS project, including hardware and software development, science planning and post-flight data analysis

NASA Exceptional Service Medal 1984

Thomas J. Chester - for outstanding contributions to the analysis of the scientific products of the IRAS mission.