| 1961 | Elliot Cresson medal, Franklin Institute |
| 1962 | David and Florence Guggenheim International Astronautics Award |
| 1963 | John A. Fleming Award, American Geophysical Union |
| 1963 | Golden Omega Award, Electrical Insulation Conference |
| 1964 | Commander of the Order du Merite pour la Recherche et L'Invention |
| 1964 | Iowa Broadcasters Association Award |
| 1972-85 | Carver Distinguished Professor, University of Iowa |
| 1974 | NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement |
| 1975 | Distinguished Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Science |
| 1976 | U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award |
| 1977 | Recipient of the William Bowie Medal for "Outstanding Contributions to Fundamental Geophysics and for Unselfish Cooperation in Research" [39th Presentation, AGU Spring 1977 Meeting] |
| 1978 | Gold Medal, Royal Astronomical Society |
| 1978 | Award of Merit, American Consulting Engineers Council |
| 1982 | Space Science Award, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |
| 1982 | The Governor's Science Medal |
| 1984 | Recipient of the 1984 COSPAR Award for "Outstanding Contributions to Space Science" |
| 1984 | Inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 29 September 1984 |
| 1986 | Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Iowa |
| 1986 | Member of The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts [Gold and Silver Salute] |
| 1986 | First recipient of AAAS-Philip Hauge Abelson Prize |
| 1987 | National Medal of Science |
| 1987 | Society of Satellite Professionals Hall of Fame Award -- For Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Satellite Technology |
| 1987 | Sigma Xi's 1987 William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement |
| 1987 | National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges' University of Iowa Centennial Alumnus |
| 1989 | Crafoord Prize, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden |
| 1990 | The 1990 Nevada Medal |
| 1990 | Hancher-Finkbine Medallion in Recognition of Leadership and Service to the University of Iowa |
| 1990 | Cosmos Club Award for 1990 |
| 1990 | Nansen Medal and Nansen Prize Award, The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo, Norway |
| 1991 | National Space Club Science Award |
| 1991 | National Science Board Vannevar Bush Award |
| 1992 | James Harlan Award for Exemplary Service to the Nation |
| 1992 | University of Iowa Presidential Award |
| 1992 | Paul Harris Fellow/Iowa City Rotary Club |
| 2004 | American Polar Society Honorary Membership Award |
| 2006 | Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Trophy for Lifetime Achievement |
| 2006 | National Space Club Goddard Memorial Trophy |