Global Space Awards names 40 finalists, from research breakthroughs to commercial scale

2026 shortlist spans breakthroughs in science, technology and sustainability, alongside the businesses, investors and leaders advancing the commercial space sector

The Global Space Awards (GSA) has announced 40 finalists across eight categories for its 2026 awards, recognising scientific breakthroughs, technological innovation and commercial achievement across the international space economy.

The shortlist spans research into space-enabled health applications, satellite communications and navigation, environmental monitoring, space-derived clean energy technologies, and the safety and sustainability of operations in space. It brings together researchers and emerging businesses with established companies, investors and industry leaders.

Five finalists have been selected in each of the eight categories:

Innovation Breakthrough of the Year, recognising significant advances in space technology and engineering: Aalyria Technologies; BioOrbit; Hubble Network; Meridian Space; Star Catcher.

Science Breakthrough of the Year, celebrating scientific discoveries and research advancing our understanding of space and its applications: Kyle Horn (AstroAccess); Madhulika Guhathakurta; MicroAge University of Liverpool; Stephanie Yardley; The SpaceXray Research Team.

SuperScaler of the Year, recognising companies demonstrating exceptional commercial growth and ambition: Infinite Orbits; Open Cosmos; The Exploration Company; Voyager Technologies; Xona.

Partnership of the Year, celebrating collaborations delivering significant advances for the space sector: Axiom Space and Astrolab; Cailabs and Gilat DataPath; EPS - Sterna; Thales Alenia Space; Voyager Technologies and Voyager Lunar Systems (formerly Astrobotic).

Sustainability for Earth, recognising space technologies and innovations delivering environmental and sustainability benefits on Earth: GHGSat; Interstellar Lab; Myriota; NUVIEW; Space Solar.

Sustainability for Space, recognising progress towards responsible and sustainable activity in space: Astroscale; Kayhan Space; KMI Space; Neuraspace; Space DOTS.

Playmaker of the Year, honouring individuals whose leadership and achievements have made a significant contribution to the development of the sector: Dan Hammer; Helene Huby; Muhammad Hunain; Paul Tedman; Ryan Anderton.

Space Investor of the Year, recognising investors whose financial backing and strategic support have helped accelerate the industry's development: AE Industrial Partners; Beyond Earth Ventures; E2MC; Seraphim Space; Stellar Ventures.

Sanjeev Gordhan, founder of the Global Space Awards, said: "When we created the Global Space Awards, we asked: what is good, what is great in space, and how do we recognise it? We wanted to bring the whole picture together, from research through to businesses operating at scale.

"The calibre of this year's finalists shows just how much momentum there is in the companies making up the space economy. Space technology is already enabling breakthroughs in healthcare diagnostics, precision agriculture through Earth observation, clean energy generation and global connectivity, and we want to bring more businesses and investors from those sectors into the conversation.

"Our role is to give this work the recognition it deserves and bring the right people around it, whether that is an investor, a commercial partner or someone who can put the technology to use."

The 2026 Awards follow a successful inaugural event at London's Natural History Museum in December 2025, which received more than 500 nominations from around the world and brought together hundreds of leaders from across industry, government, science and investment.

The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), through its Astra Carta initiative, is sponsoring the Sustainability for Earth Award, recognising the use of space technology to deliver tangible sustainability benefits on Earth. The separate Sustainability for Space Award recognises work towards safer and more sustainable activity in space.

Alongside the annual Awards, GSA is developing a year-round programme of international roundtables and research with Access Partnership. The programme will combine the perspectives of industry leaders with data and analysis to examine how space businesses are developing and the commercial, regulatory and strategic challenges they face.

The winners of the 2026 Global Space Awards will be announced at a ceremony at The Roundhouse in London on Friday 11th December 2026.

Media contacts

Global Space Awards Andy Rivett-Carnac Headland Consultancy arivett-carnac@headlandconsultancy.com +44 7968 997 365