Obverse.  On a gold disc 1½ inches (3.81cm) in diameter a stylized laurel wreath overlaid at its base by a partly unfurled scroll inscribed “NASA” and bracketed by a depiction of two left forearms raised in parallel in the act of shooting at 45 degrees into upper left.  The upper arrow is already in flight while the lower arrow is still nocked with bow drawn poised to shoot.

Reverse. The reverse of the medal consists within a wreath of laurel surrounding a background of the universe with the feathered arrow of Artemis, in base a scroll inscribed “Exceptional Public Achievement.”

Symbolism.  The figures of Apollo and Artemis are depicted as they release their arrows, one ahead of the other, to represent the mythological story that Apollo instructed Artemis in archery and in a later tournament, she bested him.  This stands as a metaphor for a government mission traditionally accomplished by a government agency being handed off to a non-government entity for further execution.

Ribbon.  The ribbon is 1-3/8 inches (3.49cm) in width, composed of the following vertical stripes:  1/8 inch (.32cm) Cobalt Blue 67171; 1/8 inch (.32cm) Bluebird 67117; 1/16 inch (.04cm) Goldenlight 67107; 3/16 inch (.485cm) Bluebird 67117; 3/8 inch (.95cm) Cobalt Blue 67171; 3/16 inch (.48cm) Bluebird 67117; 1/16 inch (.04cm) Goldenlight 67107; 1/8 inch (.32cm) Bluebird 67117; 1/8 inch (.32cm) Cobalt Blue 67171