The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) has awarded five scholarships for students pursuing studies related to the satellite industry. SSPI’s goal in issuing scholarships to outstanding students each year is to expand their interest in and contact with the global satellite industry. For this cycle, SSPI issued two types of scholarships—a one-time $2,500 SSPI International Scholarship for students with demonstrated interest in careers in Satellite, and a one-time $1,500 SSPI Extension Scholarship for students pursuing studies related to the satellite industry.

"As is so often the case, the SSPI International Scholarship highlights the continued diversity of the industry—attracting students from around the world, and of varied backgrounds and interests,” said Tamara Bond, SSPI’s Membership Director.

“We are especially gratified to welcome Adam Vigneron back as a satellite scholar,” Bond continued. “Adam is a familiar face at SSPI, having received last year’s Satellite Futures scholarship that sent him to the Space Generations Conference in Beijing. Having students return to compete for SSPI scholarships demonstrates proof-of-concept—that engaging students with the industry builds loyalty to the industry."

With that in mind, these exceptional students will be invited to the annual SSPI Gala in March where we hope you’ll have the opportunity to meet and congratulate them. In the meantime, here’s a quick glance at these five outstanding students:

Cristel Devriese

Cristel Devriese
Cristel is a Belgian national of African parentage. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with Law from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and a Master’s Degree in the Economics of Science and Innovation, from Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, in Spain. He is currently pursuing satellite studies at the International Space University, with an emphasis on NAVSAT technologies.

He has committed his skill to such causes as ending child warfare in Africa and deforestation in South America.

Cristel is the recipient of SSPI's Extension Scholarship.

Narayan Dhital

Narayan Dhital
Narayan holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Earth and Space Sciences from Jacobs University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in ESPACE-Satellite Application Engineering. As his sample work, Narayan submitted a report on his project entitled: Satellite Based Earth Observation: Detection of Homogeneous Thin Ice Regions in the Arctic.

Narayan is the recipient of SSPI's International Scholarship.

Rachael Houston

Rachael Houston
Rachael Houston is a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, pursuing a degree in Broadcasting.  Her sample work featured a news report on the Orrin County Tech Fair.  Recognizing the importance of satellites to the broadcasting industry and her desire to impact the world through media, Rachael has rightly recognized the natural alliance of broadcasting and satellite.

Rachael is the recipient of SSPI's Extension Scholarship.

Adrienne Rector

Adrienne Rector
A junior at Embry-Riddle University in Prescott, AZ.  Although she has enjoyed an interest in space-faring technologies since her high school days studying rocketry, her current passion is Space Mechanics, and she hopes to focus her studies on Space Systems and Experimental Space Systems.  She hopes eventually to study at an international university to gain a broader perspective on the industry.  Her sample work was a report entitled "Determining Transfer Orbits Using STK.”

Adrienne is the recipient of SSPI's International Scholarship.

Adam Vigneron

Adam Vigneron
Adam is a second time scholarship winner for SSPI.  In 2012, Adam was recognized with the Satellite Future Scholarship, that allowed him to attend and represent the satellite industry at the Space Generation Congress.  Adam, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, is now pursuing a Master’s degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, with his studies focused on navigation algorithms for the proposed Polar Communication and Weather mission. As part of his sample work, Adam offered a brief overview of his studies via YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v= Ia3KI8QtmgA.

Adam is the recipient of SSPI's International Scholarship.