Inaugural Recipients to be Honored at the SSPI Chairman’s Reception on March 7 in Washington, DC

(7 December 2016 – New York City) - The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) announced today that it is accepting nominations for its first annual list of The Rising Five: the five New Space companies in the satellite industry that have made the most substantial progress over the past year.  They will come from launch, manufacturing, satellite operations and ground segment operations and technology.  The Rising Five will be decided by an international editorial advisory board and will be announced on March 7, 2017 at the annual Chairman’s Reception that precedes the Hall of Fame Benefit Dinner at SATELLITE in Washington, DC.
                  
“New Space, whatever name you call it, is generating the headlines these days,” said executive director Robert Bell.  “Revenues, profits, reliable technology and sustainable business models, however, are somewhere in the future for most of these companies.  Innovation travels a difficult path, and the new entrants into the space and satellite business have much to learn from – and much to teach to – those who have gone before.  That is the spirit we celebrate with The Rising Five.” 
 
The Rising Five Editorial Advisory Board

• Clayton Aldo, Editor, Satellite Pro Middle East
• Brian Berger, Editor in Chief, SpaceNews
• Torsten Kriening, Chief Operating Officer, SpaceWatch Middle East
• Virgil Labrador, Editorial Director, Satellite Markets & Research
• Silvano Payne, Publisher, SatNews
• Jason Rainbow, Editor, Satellite Finance
• Amy Saunders, Editor, Satellite Evolution

Recommendations for The Rising Five can be submitted to SSPI Membership Director Tamara Bond-Williams by email at  tbond-williams@sspi.org! All nominations must be submitted by January 7, 2017 to be considered.
  
About SSPI
Founded in 1983, the Society of Satellite Professionals International (www.sspi.org) is on a mission to make the satellite industry one of the world’s best at attracting and engaging the talent that powers innovation.  With more than 4,000 members in +40 nations, it is the largest satellite industry association in the world.  It delivers on its mission through a portfolio of programs:

• Next Generation – Staging competitions and sharing information with university students to excite them about careers in satellite.
• Leaders Quest – Identifying and honoring present and future leaders as models for the industry to follow.
• New Century Workforce – Engaging talent management executives in the satellite company executives in improving hiring and retention practices and winning the industry’s fair share of the world’s best and brightest.
• Better Satellite World – Promoting the immense contributions of satellite to commerce, education, communication and human welfare.

For More Information
Matthew Owen
Communications Manager
212-809-5199 x105
mowen@sspi.org