Spaceflight is Proud to Announce Curt Blake has been Nominated for Via Satellite’s 2018 Satellite Executive of the Year Award

Spaceflight, the leading satellite rideshare and mission management provider, announces Curt Blake, president and CEO, has been nominated for the most prestigious award in the satellite and connectivity industry, Via Satellite’s 2018 Satellite Executive of the Year Award. The nominees are chosen for durable contributions made to the global satellite market including innovative technologies, best practices, important services, or any combination of these. Likewise, it recognizes lasting contributions of their achievements.

In 2015, Blake recognized the increasing demand for access to space from the growing smallsat industry and conceptualized a solution: purchase an entire launch vehicle dedicated to smallsats. Later that year, Spaceflight purchased a SpaceX Falcon 9 and in December of 2018, under Blake’s leadership, the Spaceflight team executed the successful launch of the company’s first-ever dedicated rideshare mission, SSO-A. The record-breaking launch carried 64 smallsats, the largest number of satellites launched from a U.S.-based rocket to space, from 34 organizations from 17 different countries. This mission was the first of its kind and required innovative engineering to integrate and deploy the large number of satellites, as well as incredible organization and management of each organization’s and spacecraft’s individual needs for launch.

The winner of the 2018 Satellite Executive of the Year will be determined by a combination of the Via Satellite editorial team, including Editorial Director, Mark Holmes, and votes that come directly from industry. The public can vote for Blake online, or onsite at the SATELLITE 2019 event, which takes place May 6-9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. There will be stations for attendees to vote at the Via Satellite booth (#543 on the show floor).

“Many visionaries who have shaped the industry are recipients of this award and I am honored to be a finalist,” said Blake. “Spaceflight had a momentous year in 2018, especially with the successful execution of our first-ever dedicated rideshare mission, SSO-A. During the year, we also launched nearly 100 satellites across four missions, expanded our launch vehicle portfolio and signed important customers. None of these accomplishments would be possible without our incredible team. I’m proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve.”

“The honoree for the 2018 Satellite Executive of the Year will join the ranks of the best of the best. Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX was honored in 2017, Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace was honored in 2016, and the 2015 honoree was Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat. We’re looking forward to welcoming another notable satellite industry leader to this already impressive group,” said Mark Holmes.

Voting closes at noon ET on Tuesday, May 7th. The winner will be announced at a special Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Peraton, at SATELLITE 2019 on Wednesday, May 8, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the Awards Luncheon can be purchased through SATELLITE 2019 registration. SATELLITE 2019 will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

For more information on the award, or to vote for Curt Blake, please visit https://www.viasatellite.com/vote.

About Via Satellite

Via Satellite, a monthly publication providing essential news and expert business analysis on the global satellite communications marketplace, including current and evolving applications, infrastructure issues, technology, and business and regulatory developments around the world reaches the most engaged community of satellite professionals and qualified industry decision makers.

About SATELLITE 2019

SATELLITE unites 15,000 aerospace and connectivity thought leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, engineers, end-users and enthusiasts from over 100 countries for the largest and most important global satellite technology event of the year. Serving all industries looking to better their business operations or enhance their strategy through connectivity, the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition will take place on May 6-9, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

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