The ManSat Group is being honoured for its work with students and young professionals with CEO Chris Stott set to receive the global 2015 Mentor of the Year award from the Society of Satellite Professional Institute (SSPI), the largest professional association in the space and satellite industry.

Chris will receive the award at the SSPI’s Future Leaders Dinner in New York on November 10, the same night as the society present its Promise Awards, which go to satellite executives under the age 35 for outstanding achievements in the early stages of their careers.

The SSPI says Chris’s award is for the ‘encouragement, support, and inspiration he has provided to students and young professionals throughout his career’.

However, Chris believes the recognition is down to the work of the entire ManSat team over the last 15 years.

He said: ‘Since ManSat was founded in 2000, we have strived to give opportunities to young people to further themselves and their careers. The award is really for what our team has done in the education and mentoring of Manx students, and providing them with the platform to achieve.’

A Manx company with offices in the Isle of Man, in the UK and the US, ManSat carries out satellite filings for the Isle of Man under a contract with the Manx Government’s Communications Commission.

SSPI executive director Robert Bell said: ‘Chris was instrumental in the formation of the SpaceIsle initiative, which established the Isle of Man as a major domicile and corporate service provider to the commercial space sector. But for Chris, doing business and doing good for the next generation are inextricably linked.

‘The ManSat Fellowship was set up to give students from the Isle of Man an opportunity to fully explore the industry Chris loves.  Every year it has helped students attend NASA’s United Space School, exposing them to the industry and its many opportunities and giving them a chance to meet and work with other gifted students from all around the world.

‘ManSat is also heavily involved in the Conrad Foundation, encouraging students from the Isle of Man to study issues in the space sector and to submit their proposals to the international forum of the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge.’

The ManSat scholarships to the United Space School have seen 25 Manx students visit Houston over the years – two a year since 2007 – and last month saw real evidence that investment in education works, when Dr Jennifer Stone, the first scholar back in 2000, joined ManSat as Regulatory Affairs Manager.

The company has also supported opportunities for Manx students to study at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute and has awarded a series of scholarships for Manx students to attend the International Space University.

Mr Bell added: ‘Many of ManSat’s scholars have gone on to build impressive careers in the space industry, and Chris has continued to be a constant source of inspiration for students across the Island, throughout the industry, and as an industry leader and Manxman around the world.’

Chris is currently chairman of the SSPI and it is thought that this is the first occasion when a sitting chairman has been nominated for an award.

The nomination came from Howard Parkin of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society.

‘It is a great honour, and came as a total shock,’ said Chris. ‘I knew nothing about it until the SSPI announced it. But the award is very much for the amazing team we have at ManSat, and is recognition for everyone’s hard work and focus in making our educational initiatives a success.’

Isle of Man Minister for Education and Children Tim Crookall MLC added: ‘As Education Minister, I’ve been fortunate to meet winners of the ManSat scholarship following their return from NASA’s United Space School and listening to them is inspirational, showing how much the experience has helped them develop both academically and personally. Chris and the team at ManSat are passionate about education, and this award is a thoroughly-deserved recognition of that commitment.’

Full details about the Promise Awards are available at: http://www.sspi.org/articles/sspi-names-future-leaders-of-the-industry-and-honors-mentorship-with-the-2015-promise-and-mentor-awards.

Photo - Two Ballakermeen High Students – Sam Lancaster and Josie McGarrigle – who won this year’s ManSat scholarships to attend the NASA United Space School during the summer.