The Sustainable Markets Initiative partners with Global Space Awards to recognise space innovation delivering for Earth

The Global Space Awards has today announced a new partnership with the Sustainable Markets Initiative's (SMI's) Astra Carta, the global framework for sustainable space activity, which will sponsor the 'Sustainability for Earth Award' at December's 2026 Global Space Awards (GSA).

The award will recognise organisations using space science, technology and innovation to deliver tangible sustainability benefits on Earth, from environmental monitoring and Earth observation to communications, resource management and other practical applications.

Launched by the SMI in 2023, the Astra Carta builds on the principles of the SMI's Terra Carta to provide a roadmap for the private sector to put sustainability at the heart of space exploration, development and commercial activity.

The partnership brings together the Astra Carta's focus on advancing sustainability across the global space sector with GSA's international platform for identifying and recognising excellence.

Launched in 2025, the inaugural GSA, held at London's Natural History Museum, received 516 nominations from 30 countries and drew hundreds of attendees.

GSA is now expanding into a year-round programme, combining quarterly international strategy roundtables with the annual December awards, alongside a publication bringing together insights from those discussions, coupled with data generated through the awards process.

Sanjeev Gordhan, member of the Global Space Awards' steering committee, said: "From the outset, the Global Space Awards has sought to set a benchmark for what excellence looks like as the global space sector develops. Astra Carta has established an important global framework for putting sustainability at the heart of the rapidly expanding space economy, and the Awards provide a platform to identify and celebrate the organisations turning that ambition into action.

"Space technology is already helping us understand our planet better, use its resources more intelligently and address some of its most pressing environmental challenges. By bringing Astra Carta's leadership and global network together with the reach of the Global Space Awards, we can give greater recognition to the people and organisations demonstrating what space can deliver for Earth and encourage others across the sector to follow their lead."

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: "Space is becoming increasingly important to how we understand, protect and manage our planet, while the space economy itself is growing at an extraordinary pace – making it essential that sustainability is built into space activity from the outset.

"The Astra Carta provides a practical framework for the private sector to help make that ambition a reality, from improving the sustainability of space activities themselves to harnessing space-based technologies to address challenges here on Earth.

"We are delighted to partner with the Global Space Awards to recognise the organisations turning that potential into tangible impact. By celebrating innovation that benefits Earth, we can help demonstrate what is possible and encourage greater collaboration, investment and action across the global space sector."

The 2026 Global Space Awards will take place on December 11th in London.

Media contacts

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

Sustainable Markets Initiative Jilly Hurley Chief Communications Officer j.hurley@sustainable-markets.org