Anousheh Ansari, title sponsor of the Ansari X PRIZE, the first female private space explorer and successful serial entrepreneur, will be traveling to New Mexico to accept her nomination as an Inductee into the International Space Hall of Fame this October 18.
"It is an honor to be inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, along with such legends in the brief history of humans in space,” said Anousheh Ansari, CEO and Co-Founder of Prodea. “As someone with her head in the clouds, I believe space exploration and research will play an even more important role in our future and our quality of life here on earth. Low cost access to space is the key to boost innovation in this area. My family and I sponsored the Ansari X PRIZE space competition challenging non-governmental organizations to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ansari X PRIZE, I look forward to continuing efforts in fostering space exploration and innovation as well as educating and rekindling the love of space and curiosity to explore our universe in our youth.”
The Ansari X PRIZE was a $10 million competition between private space companies to determine which one could create a spacecraft that could fly to the edge of space, return, and fly the same craft again within a two week period. On October 4, 2004, the prize was captured by Burt Rutan’s Scaled Composites flying Space Ship One. Many credit the Ansari X PRIZE with kick starting the new commercial space industry.
Anousheh also fulfilled her childhood dream on September 18, 2006, when she blasted off into space for a nine-day expedition aboard the International Space Station and captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. She also earned a place in history as the first astronaut of Iranian descent, the first Muslim woman, and the fourth private explorer to visit space. Ansari is a successful serial entrepreneur and active proponent of world-changing technologies and social entrepreneurship. She is the co-founder and currently the CEO of Texas-based Prodea Systems.
“We are honored that Ms. Ansari will be attending the Induction Ceremony on October 18. Her passion for and commitment to space exploration, and her personal achievements, made her an outstanding candidate for Induction,” said New Mexico Museum of Space History Executive Director Chris Orwoll. “It will be a privilege to present her with the Induction award and welcome her to membership in the International Space Hall of Fame.”
The International Space Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2014 includes: X-15 pilot and Astronaut Major General Joe Engle (U.S. AF, ret.); NASA engineer John Houbolt; aerospace engineer Thomas Kelly; visionary Yuri Kondratyuk; SpaceX Founder Elon Musk; aerospace engineer Guenter Wendt; science fiction authors Jules Verne and H.G. Wells; renowned aerospace engineer and designer of SpaceShipOne Burt Rutan; X PRIZE Founder Peter Diamandis; title sponsor of the Ansari X PRIZE and the first female private space explorer Anousheh Ansari; and sole investor for SpaceShipOne and Stratolaunch Systems founder Paul Allen.
Induction Days will be held Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18. Activities will include: the Jules Verne and H.G. Wells Film Fest in the Tombaugh Theater on Oct. 16 and 17; a Pre-Induction Reception for Inductees and Distinguished Guests on the evening of Oct. 17; Founder’s Day Education Events from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Oct. 18, and the Induction Ceremony and Community Reception beginning at 4:00 pm on Oct. 18.
The International Space Hall of Fame (ISHF), an integral part of the
New Mexico Museum of Space History, is the only institution that recognizes the accomplishments of the men and women worldwide who have contributed to man’s quest for space. Established in 1976, the ISHF follows strict criteria for Inductees and to date has honored 154 individuals and one team.
posted 09-30-2014 09:19 AM
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