Ballasalla, Isle of Man, UK, 03 June, 2025: The Space Data Association (SDA) has announced that nominations are now open for the annual T. S Kelso Award. The award is presented by the SDA in recognition of significant, forward-thinking, and lasting contributions that drive progress in space safety and the protection of the space environment.
Now in its fifth year, the T.S Kelso award acknowledges and celebrates substantial, innovative, long-term, and practical original contributions to the advancement of space safety, and also the preservation of the space environment in one or more of the following space disciplines: operations, applied research, technology, law, or policy.
The prestigious award is a symbol of outstanding achievement, and was last year presented to Prof. Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, a leading expert in space debris, space safety and space sustainability, and a pioneer of optical space debris tracking.
Joe Chan, Chairman, the Space Data Association, commented: “The space industry is filled with dedicated and innovative people who deserve to have their contributions recognised, and the T.S Kelso award is the ideal way to celebrate their achievements. I’m honoured and humbled to be part of the judging panel for this year’s award and very much look forward to reviewing the nominations with the rest of the SDA board of directors. If you know someone, or a team or organisation deserving of this accolade, I urge you to put them forward.”
The SDA welcomes nominations for an individual or, if shared, multiple individuals, teams, or organisations. Awards should be submitted via the website along with a description of the contribution made by the nominee(s) and the reason they deserve to win the award.
The closing date for nominations is July 31st.
Now in its fifth year, the T.S Kelso award acknowledges and celebrates substantial, innovative, long-term, and practical original contributions to the advancement of space safety, and also the preservation of the space environment in one or more of the following space disciplines: operations, applied research, technology, law, or policy.
The prestigious award is a symbol of outstanding achievement, and was last year presented to Prof. Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, a leading expert in space debris, space safety and space sustainability, and a pioneer of optical space debris tracking.
Joe Chan, Chairman, the Space Data Association, commented: “The space industry is filled with dedicated and innovative people who deserve to have their contributions recognised, and the T.S Kelso award is the ideal way to celebrate their achievements. I’m honoured and humbled to be part of the judging panel for this year’s award and very much look forward to reviewing the nominations with the rest of the SDA board of directors. If you know someone, or a team or organisation deserving of this accolade, I urge you to put them forward.”
The SDA welcomes nominations for an individual or, if shared, multiple individuals, teams, or organisations. Awards should be submitted via the website along with a description of the contribution made by the nominee(s) and the reason they deserve to win the award.
The closing date for nominations is July 31st.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Schildknecht receiving the award in 2024
About the SDA
The Space Data Association Limited (SDA) is a non-profit international association of satellite operators that supports the controlled, reliable, and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment. The SDA is open to all satellite operators and other participants. Its membership comprises many of the world’s major satellite communications companies, as well as key scientific, remote sensing, and environmental satellite system operators. http://space-data.org/
Media Contact
Helen Reynolds
Radical Moves
helen.reynolds@radicalmoves.co.uk
+44 7878 432940
The Space Data Association Limited (SDA) is a non-profit international association of satellite operators that supports the controlled, reliable, and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment. The SDA is open to all satellite operators and other participants. Its membership comprises many of the world’s major satellite communications companies, as well as key scientific, remote sensing, and environmental satellite system operators. http://space-data.org/
Media Contact
Helen Reynolds
Radical Moves
helen.reynolds@radicalmoves.co.uk
+44 7878 432940