Recognizing Excellence and Innovation
By recognizing those organizations, products and people who bring excellence at the forefront of the connectivity and satellite communications, as well as Earth observation sectors, Novaspace seeks to celebrate the year’s extraordinary accomplishments and highlight those contributing positively to the space and satellite sectors.
A panel of industry experts are tasked with shortlisting and assessing stakeholders and projects based on several qualitative – and quantitative criteria, i.e. innovation, strategic decisions, market impact, financial and commercial indicators. The awards are presented to space companies that have distinguished themselves during the year and look to celebrate outstanding achievements of their business, management and contribution to the sector.
With the occasion of the 2024 edition of the World Space Business Week, Novaspace honored ten companies for their decisive contributions towards the space and satellite industries over the previous 12 months
2024 Winners
Excellence in Satellite Communications Awards
Excellence in Space-Based Connectivity
Strategic Transaction Award (M&A)
“Receiving the WSBW award is a significant recognition of Yahsat and Bayanat’s commitment to advancing SpaceTech and AI technologies. Our merger with Bayanat to create Space42, underscores our commitment to seamlessly integrate satellite communications, geospatial intelligence, and AI capabilities, in line with the UAE’s Space Strategy 2030 and AI Strategy 2031. Through our combined world-class capabilities and expertise, we are positioned to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the global SpaceTech sector and deliver greater value to our customers, stakeholders, and the communities we serve. We are proud to lead in this critical sector and remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what satellite technology can deliver to transform industries and communities worldwide.”
Ali Al Hashemi, GCEO of Yahsat
“Receiving the Strategic Transaction of the Year Award is a powerful affirmation of Bayanat and Yahsat’s bold vision in transforming the space sector. Our groundbreaking merger to form Space42 aligns perfectly with the UAE leadership’s ambition to position our nation as a global powerhouse in space and AI, fueling a dynamic, knowledge-based economy. The launch of the UAE’s first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, marks a significant leap in our Earth Observation program, showcasing how our united strengths are set to revolutionize global standards. This recognition propels us to push the boundaries of innovation, leaving a lasting impact on global decision-making powered by Space & AI.”
Hasan Al Hosani, MD of Bayanat
Universal Broadband Award
“Thank you for recognising Avanti and IHS as the winners of the Universal Broadband Award.
The mission to provide cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable internet solutions is more than a professional endeavor; it is a mission we each carry personally at Avanti. Access to the internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It opens doors to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and global connectivity. For too long, the remote and hard-to-reach regions of Africa have been left in the dark, disconnected from the boundless potential connectivity brings.
This award marks a significant milestone for both Avanti and IHS, but it is also a reminder of what we still must achieve. It motivates us to continue to push boundaries and challenge limitations, so that every individual, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to be a part of the digital age.”
Kyle Whitehill, CEO, Avanti Communications
“We are deeply honored to receive the World Space Business Week Universal Broadband Award, recognizing our commitment to innovation and social responsibility in expanding global connectivity. As one of the largest independent tower companies globally, IHS Towers is dedicated to helping bridge the digital divide, particularly in Nigeria, where we operate more than 16,000 towers.
Our partnership with Avanti Communications has been pivotal in bringing broadband connectivity as well as delivering sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to rural areas. Together, we are striving to help transform lives by enabling digital inclusion, job creation, and driving socio-economic development across underserved and unserved communities.”
Mohamad Darwish: Executive Vice President, IHS Nigeria CEO
Global Satellite Business Award
“On behalf of SES, I am honored to accept this award which acknowledges the integrated multi-orbit innovation we are spearheading and the value we are delivering to our customers. This achievement is only possible thanks to our team’s dedication to understanding customer needs and our global partnerships across the industry. Pending approval, we believe the proposed SES-Intelsat acquisition will enable the combined company to become an even more competitive multi-orbit operator with the ability to offer better solutions in high-value markets.”
John-Paul Hemingway, Chief Commercial Officer at SES
Regional Satellite Operator Award
“We are truly honored to receive this award and grateful to Novaspace for always providing an insightful platform such as World Space Business Week. SKY Perfect JSAT has been leading the satcom industry in Asia Pacific for 35 years, and we are now transforming ourselves into more than just a satellite telecommunication and broadcasting provider. With our initiatives and technologies including integrated non-terrestrial network systems, earth observation, active debris removal, and space situational awareness, we will continue to perform at our best to bring “Space for your Smile,” as our group mission says, to the lives of people, communities, and countries in the region.”
Yutaka Moriai, Executive Officer, Group President, Global Business Group, Space Business Unit
“We are grateful for this award. The progress we’ve made is a result of the vision and commitment to build affordable and sustainable space infrastructures. We will continue our mission to enhance space accessibility and innovating in the in-orbit assembly and repair services”
Jose Alonso, Space Villages Founder
2023 Winners
Excellence in Space-Based Connectivity
Strategic Partnership Award
“We are honored to receive the Strategic Partnership of the Year award, recognizing that, together, Eutelsat and OneWeb represent a unique proposition in our industry. By combining the strengths of LEO constellations and GEO assets we are able to deliver unmatched solutions to our customers, thereby seizing the significant growth opportunity in connectivity while creating value for our shareholders through material synergies. Our customers are increasingly seeking GEO/LEO offerings, validating our vision every day, and driving us to support their needs across an ever-wider range of applications. We are grateful for the unwavering support and vision of the strategic shareholders of both Eutelsat and OneWeb: the LEO/GEO combination is truly a game changer for our industry, and a significant milestone in the journey towards a more connected world.“
Jean Hubert, Chief Strategy and Resources Officer, Eutelsat
“I am delighted to accept this award which recognises the industry impact of our collaboration with Eutelsat. Our customers are looking to satellite connectivity as a solution for an expanding range of use cases and demand for a hybrid offering is continuing to grow. Our partnership is already delivering benefits today for our customers bringing the best of our GEO and LEO networks to meet their needs. We are hugely excited about our partnership as well as hopeful for our shared future and how we can continue to innovate, and importantly be a key driver of our customers success“
Stephen Beynon, Chief Commercial Officer, OneWeb
Universal Broadband Award
“We are honoured to receive Euroconsult’s 2023 Universal Broadband Award, acknowledging our efforts to transform global connectivity, especially in underserved and unserved regions. As Asia-Pacific’s leading Ka-band satellite operator, with broadband coverage across 25 nations, we prioritise adaptation and innovation. Through our pioneering franchise retail model, we have facilitated affordable and accessible internet services, thereby disrupting the value chain. Our per GB cost is less than 2% of Gross National Income per capita, well below the affordability targets of ITU and UNESCO. Embracing ‘The Heart of Broadband’ tagline, we’re committed to empowering, connecting, and uplifting those in need.”
Christian Patouraux, CEO, Kacific Broadband Satellites
Global Satellite Business Award
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire SpaceX team. Less than three years ago, we set out to bridge the digital divide with fast, reliable, and affordable internet around the world. To do so, we are working with individuals, school districts, tribal governments, disaster relief agencies, businesses large and small, and telecommunications companies across the globe to help complement their existing connectivity options. Improving digital connectivity, especially in the hardest to reach areas of the world, is what drives our team every day and we look forward to continuing to grow our impact globally to keep shrinking the divide in the years to come.“
Chad Gibbs, VP, Starlink Business Operations
Regional Satcom Operator Award
“MEASAT is deeply honoured to be recognised by World Satellite Business Week with the Regional Satcom Operator of the Year Award 2023 – the third time we have been bestowed by WSBW. This is an acknowledgement of the team’s hard work that has benefited clients, communities, and the countries in which we operate. We will continue leveraging the latest technologies to innovate solutions for enterprise clients, bridge the digital divide in unconnected communities and enable the rural digital economy – beginning at home in Malaysia and expanding to serve regional needs.”
Yau Chyong Lim, MEASAT’s Chief Operating Officer
2022 Winners
Excellence in Satellite communications
Global Satcom Business Award
“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire SpaceX team. It’s been an amazing year for Starlink as we have grown our consumer and enterprise customer base, rolled out new features and services, and are providing high-speed internet around the world. We’re looking forward to continuing this growth in the years to come, as we know that access to high-speed, low-latency broadband internet will be a game changer for students, disaster relief efforts, travelers, vacationers, businesses, and many, many more.”
Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Sales
Strategic Transaction Award
“We are grateful the transaction with Inmarsat is being recognized. We believe this combination will advance our shared beliefs to connect the world. This award honors our synergistic approach in advancing broadband communications and creating new hybrid space and terrestrial networks that drive greater performance, coverage, speed and reliability for our customers to work, learn, access healthcare and all the other benefits the connected world brings. Viasat continues evolving as a global innovator in broadband and narrowband communication and our investment with Inmarsat continues to lead the way”
Regional Space Business Award
“We are incredibly honoured to receive this award recognizing the regional satellite business in a year in which we strengthened our strategic position in Latin America with the acquisition of Axess Networks. This operation allowed us to become the leading group in corporate solutions throughout the region. Moreover, we consolidated our role as the operator of reference for audiovisual services from our teleport in Peru. These actions, together with our commitment to bridging the digital divide in Spain and the upcoming launch of the Amazonas Nexus, make it possible to conceive an exciting future for our company based on the robustness of the present.”
Universal Connectivity Award
“We are honored and grateful for this Excellence Award, that reinforce our commitment to provide the best satellite solutions for the people in Mexico.
We are thankful of our valued customers, particularly CFE TEIT, for giving us the opportunity to serve one of the main objectives of the country, to provide free internet to the people of Mexico in 2700 rural locations for “Internet Para Todos” Mexican government project. We also thank our partners Hugues and Eutelsat, for their continuous support in our integration of solutions, hoping a promising future in years to come.”
“Connectivity has become a basic human need, and we are honored to be a key part in the solution to assist the Mexican government in its mission to get all Mexicans online. This also aligns with our CSR mission to bridge the digital divide. Once again, satellite is proving a robust, readily available and cost-effective solution for governments everywhere looking to fulfil their global service objectives. Today we’re honored to accept this award alongside Stargroup, Apconet/Aitelecom, Hughes, Axess Networks and Globalsat. Our collaboration is key to extend connectivity.”
“We are very pleased with our contribution to make Internet para Todos a succesful initiative that provides internet access to most of the Mexican population. Participating in projects that close connectivity gaps and promote inclusion using satellite solutions is a key element of Axess Networks’ mission”.
Mauricio Segovia, CEO Axess Networks
2024 Winners
Excellence in Earth Observation Awards
The Pioneer Space Business Award
“We are honored to receive this Award of Excellence from Euroconsult. It stands as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team. This recognition fuels our long-standing commitment to contribute to the growth and the evolution of the space industry. Thank you for believing in D-Orbit and our vision.”
Luca Rossettini, CEO
The Newcomer Information Business Award
“It is a great honor for us to receive the ‘Newcomer EO Operator’ Award at the World Space Business Week. This accolade acknowledges our significant contribution to addressing numerous global challenges through Earth observation. Our mission has always been to solve Earth’s issues from a space-based perspective. We firmly believe that comprehensive insights derived from Earth observation can lead to global decision-making. By leveraging our advanced AI technology, we continuously provide valuable insights to our partners and customers. The economic and social significance of satellite imagery analytics is expanding as satellite data finds applications across various sectors, including defense, intelligence, economics, finance, weather, environment, and infrastructure. Our commitment to this cause remains steadfast, and we will persist in our efforts until our solutions are globally recognized and utilized to resolve the pressing issues facing our planet.”
Taegyun Jeon, President & CEO
The Leading EO Business Award
“BlackSky is honored to receive the Novaspace 2024 Leading Earth Observation Business Award at the World Space Business Week. This recognition is only possible with the collective passion and commitment displayed every day by the entire BlackSky team as we lead the Earth observation industry into a new era of dynamic, real-time, low latency monitoring. BlackSky delivers industry-leading speed, frequency and scale through innovative constellation design and a dedication to end-to-end AI-driven system automation. Our software-first approach has made space more accessible for nations seeking sovereign, space-based intelligence capabilities and is reshaping how customers see and understand the most important security and economic events in our world.”
Lyn Chassagne, SVP, Marketing & Customer Experience
The Sustainable Development & Business Award
“We are honored to receive the WSBW 2024 Sustainable Development & Business Award from Novaspace, whose leadership and insights help foster sustainability in the space sector. This award underscores the importance of global collaboration to develop the capabilities needed to tackle the pressing challenges facing our space environment.
NorthStar’s space-based SSA system is a breakthrough in Space Domain Awareness, detecting and tracking resident space objects (RSOs) across all near-Earth orbits and filling critical gaps left by current systems. Our steadfast investors, partners, collaborators and our dedicated team of subject matter experts work tirelessly to deliver best-in-class space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities to ensure safe and secure operations in space. By providing critical insights for mission planning and decision-making, we protect the future of space exploration and infrastructure.
On behalf of the NorthStar team, I express our deep gratitude for this recognition. As we innovate and strategize to shape the future of Space, we must be mindful of the next generation and the space sector they inherit.”
Srinivas Setty, General Manager of NorthStar Earth & Space S.à.r.l.
2022 Winners
Excellence in Earth Observation
Satellite Information Business Award
“We are honoured to receive this award which reflects Airbus’ commitment to pioneering the best Earth Observation solutions.
Being at the forefront of such industry is truly inspiring and an enormous range of possibilities is now ahead of us thanks to Pléiades Neo!”
The Pioneer Space Business Award
“The entire BlackSky team is honored to receive the 2022 Pioneer in Space Business Award from Euroconsult, it’s been an incredible year of growth and innovation for our business and the customers and partners we serve We have built BlackSky with the aspiration of being the world’s leader in real-time global intelligence. In the last year, we’ve doubled the capacity of our constellation including three back-to-back launches in less than 30 days that enabled hourly monitoring of most locations around the globe. We also won the largest contract in the company’s history, worth over $1 billion dollars over the next 10 years. BlackSky has never been more focused than now on continuing to be pioneers and providing our customers and partners on-demand, real-time dynamic monitoring of the most important and strategic economic assets in the world.”
New Space Business Award
“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be honored with this award. Over the past year we’ve cemented our position a leading launch provider, with our Electron rocket one of the most frequently-flown rockets in the world, and our new medium-lift Neutron rocket set to disrupt the industry again as a fully reusable carbon composite launch vehicle. Beyond launch we’ve gone from strength to strength in our space systems business, with a major highlight of the year coming from the successful launch and delivery of CAPSTONE to the Moon for NASA on Electron and our lunar upper stage, Photon. Future missions with Rocket Lab to Earth orbit and interplanetary destinations to Mars and Venus are part of an exciting future for our business as we continue to open up access to space to improve life on Earth through our work.”
Richard French – Director, Business Development and Strategy, Space Systems
The Sustainable Development & Business Award
“We are proud to receive Euroconsult’s Sustainable Development & Business Award and grateful for the recognition of the collective effort behind the Space Sustainability Rating. As concerns about the long-term use of the space environment and the challenges due to space debris are intensifying, sustainable and responsible behaviour must become a norm in outer space, and we hope space actors across the globe will join us in developing best space sustainability practices.”
Mrs. Emmanuelle David, Executive Director eSpace – EPFL Space Center
