Colorado Springs, Colo. (February 16th 2011) -- The Space Foundation has chosen Télécoms Sans Frontières to receive the 2011 Space Achievement Award, in recognition of its extraordinary accomplishments in spatial domain.
Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) is being recognised for its unique use of satellite networks to aid communications and save lives during natural disasters and emergencies.
The award was presented to the organisation during the Opening Ceremony of the 27th National Space Symposium on April 11th at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Since its creation in 1998, Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) has developed a reputation for being among the first to arrive on the scene after a disaster, and has intervened in more than 60 countries, serving hundreds of thousands of victims and 600 organisations (UN agencies, NGOs and local authorities). TSF's primary tools are light, highly portable satellite terminals (Bgan and VSAT) that are deployable within minutes, providing worldwide coverage.
"Télécoms Sans Frontières' use of satellite networks is an extraordinary example of the concrete, positive impact space technologies have on our lives on Earth," said Space Foundation Chief Executive Office Elliot Pulham. "There's nothing theoretical here -- this organisation saves lives and makes the world a better place because of space technology."
About Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF)
This leading humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO) specialises in emergency telecommunications. With its 24-hour monitoring centre, and relying on its operational bases in France, Nicaragua and Thailand, TSF crews of IT and telecommunications specialists can intervene anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours after any sudden disaster or conflict. In a matter of minutes after arrival, teams set up a satellite-based telecommunications centre offering broadband Internet, phone and fax lines. These centres enable emergency NGOs, the United Nations and local authorities to communicate right at the heart of an event. TSF also runs humanitarian calling operation to offer support and assistance to affected civilians, giving them a link with the outside world. Learn more about Télécoms Sans Frontières at www.tsfi.org/.
About the Award
The Space Foundation annually presents The Space Achievement Award to an individual or organisation for significant contributions in advancing the exploration, development or utilisation of space. Previous recipients include: the Hubble Space Telescope Repair Mission team; China's Shenzhou 7 Manned Space Flight Team; the United States Air Force; Bigelow Aerospace; the U.S. Titan Launch Vehicle Team; the Inertial Upper Stage Team; the SpaceShipOne Team; the Ariane 4 Launch Team; the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Teams; the NASA/Industry Galileo Space Probe Team; the men and women of United States Space Command and its component organisations; the Hubble Space Telescope Team; Sea Launch; NASA-Boeing International Space Station Team; Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USAF (Retired); Capt. James A Lovell, Jr., USN (Retired); the American Astronautical Society; and Air University.
About the 27th National Space Symposium
The annual Space Foundation National Space Symposium brings together all sectors of the space industry to highlight accomplishments and address opportunities and issues facing the global space community today. The Space Achievement Award is one of several honors to be presented during the Symposium.
About the Space Foundation
The Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit organisation and the foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry - civil, commercial, military and intelligence. Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom, and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." An expert in all aspects of the global space industry, the Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognises space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.
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