2025 categories

Select a category:

1. Get to know more about the categories for awards by downloading the criteria for judging. Simply fill out the form below and select the category you want to download.

2. Check the boxes of the categories you want to download. Click the category name to see description.

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Academic of the Year

Finalists of the Australian Space Awards have most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven demonstrable growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s space economy through their participation in the space industry.

This award recognises any academic working in an Australian academic or research institution who has demonstrated a commitment to excelling in the space industry and is on a rapid career trajectory – with their work central to the commercial success, growth, or development of their institution and/or any aligned commercial business partner.

Engineer of the Year

This award recognises any degree-qualified engineer at any career level and at any age who has demonstrated a commitment to excelling in the space industry and is on a rapid career trajectory — with their work central to the commercial success, growth or development of their organisation.

Executive of the Year

All industry executives who hold a senior position such as CEO, CFO, COO, managing director, executive director, or equivalent title are encouraged to apply.

Female Space Leader of the Year - Enterprise

This award recognises a female leader in space who has most effectively shaped their business’s success while supporting the strengthening, diversity and growth of Australia’s space industry and its capabilities.

Female Space Leader of the Year - SME

Graduate of the Year

This award recognises the graduate who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to building a successful career in the space industry.

Innovator of the Year

All types of innovation will be considered, whether related to service excellence, product, systems and platform development, business development, technology, workplace management and enterprise or any other style of innovation.

Mentor of the Year

This award recognises a community member who has made a significant contribution to training and advising space entrepreneurs on a pro bono or commercial basis. It includes entrepreneurs, executives, incubators and industry thought leaders who can demonstrate a track record of success in mentorship.

Rising Star of the Year - Enterprise

This award recognises the individual who has most effectively shaped their business’s success while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s space economy through their participation in the space industry.

Rising Star of the Year - SME

Scientist of the Year

This award recognises the scientist that has delivered outstanding work for their organisation or institution while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s space economy through their participation in the space industry.

Academic Research Team of the Year

This award recognises all academic research teams no matter their specialisation, operating across domains such as telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport and all other space-related disciplines.

Business of the Year – Large

This award recognises all large space businesses, no matter their specialisation, operating across domains such as agriculture, launch, observation, research and development, telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport, and all other space-related disciplines.

All space businesses with 200 or more staff are encouraged to participate, irrespective of revenue or geographic location/s.

Business of the Year – SME

This award recognises all space SMEs, no matter their specialisation, such as agriculture, launch, observation, research and development, telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport, and all other space-related disciplines. All space SMEs are encouraged to participate.

Company Research Team of the Year

All space businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s.

Defence Business of the Year

This award recognises all defence-related businesses, no matter their specialisation, such as telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport and all other space-related disciplines.

All defence businesses are encouraged to participate, irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s

Diversity Initiative Program of the Year

This award is open to all programs/initiatives that have helped drive diversity and inclusive practices within the Australian space industry, regardless of sector or specialisation, so long as the outcomes of the program have generated a positive impact.

All programs/initiatives are encouraged to participate, irrespective of size, funding, geographic location/s, or affiliations.

Earth Observation Program of the Year

This award is open to all programs that are focused on Earth Observation and operate withinthe Australian space industry. No matter their specialisation, operating across domains such as agriculture, launch, observation, research and development, telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport and all other space-related disciplines.

All programs are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, funding, geographic location/s, or affiliations.

Engineering Business of the Year

This award recognises all space manufacturing, maintenance and engineering businesses, no matter their specialisation, operating across domains such as agriculture, launch, observation, research and development, telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport and all other space-related disciplines.

All space manufacturers are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s.

Indigenous Business of the Year

It includes all Indigenous businesses operating within the Australian space industry, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced manufacturing technologies, energy, software, procurement and other related space businesses.

All Indigenous businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s

Indigenous Space Initiative of the Year

This award is open to all programs/initiatives that have helped to drive Indigenous engagement and involvement within the Australian space industry, regardless of sector or specialisation, so long as the outcomes of the program have generated a positive impact on the Australian space industry.

All programs/initiatives are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, funding, geographic location/s, or affiliations.

Launch Business of the Year

This award recognises all launch businesses, no matter their specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced manufacturing technologies, energy, software, procurement and other related space businesses.

All space launch businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s.

Research and Development Project of the Year

This award recognises a research and development project or initiative that has the potential to progress our industry. Nominations must be from the private sector, not an academic institution.

Space Situational Awareness Program of the Year

This award is open to all programs that focus around developing and/or maintaining space situational awareness within the Australian space industry.

All programs are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, funding, geographic location/s, or affiliations.

Start-up of the Year

This award recognises all space start-ups, no matter their specialisation, operating across domains such as agriculture, launch, observation, research and development, telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining, transport and all other space-related disciplines.

All space start-ups are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s.

University of the Year

This award recognises all universities supporting the space industry through undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. All Australian universities and tertiary education institutions are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue, or geographic location/s.

Workforce Initiative Program of the Year

This award is open to all programs/initiatives that have helped drive workforce development and sustainment within the Australian space industry, regardless of sector or specialisation, so long as the outcomes of the program have generated a positive impact.

All programs/initiatives are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, funding, geographic location/s, or affiliations.

This is required.

Thank you for your interest in the Australian Space Awards 2025.

Please find the attached category descriptions.

For any additional information, or any questions, please contact Demii Stojanovski via email or alternatively call 02 9922 3300.

We look forward to seeing your submission.

Best wishes,

Australian Space Awards 2025 Team

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