The Global Space Awards has announced the appointment of Andy Campbell, the founder and CEO of Space Network, to its judging panel. The prestigious event, scheduled for December 5th, 2025, in London, will bring together leading figures from the international space industry to recognize excellence and innovation.
Key Takeaways
- Andy Campbell, CEO of Space Network, is the newest judge for the Global Space Awards.
- The awards ceremony will be held in London on December 5th, 2025.
- The event celebrates founders, investors, and influential leaders in the space sector.
- Campbell joins a panel of four other distinguished industry experts from venture capital, consulting, and space advocacy.
Andy Campbell Joins Esteemed Judging Panel
The Global Space Awards has expanded its panel of judges with the addition of Andy Campbell. As the CEO and founder of Space Network, Campbell brings extensive experience in building and scaling companies within the commercial space ecosystem. His inclusion is expected to provide valuable perspective on entrepreneurship and market growth.
Campbell's role will involve evaluating nominees across several key categories designed to honor the industry's most impactful contributors. The final judging will take place ahead of the December 2025 ceremony in London, a major hub for space-related investment and policy.
About the Global Space Awards
The Global Space Awards is an annual event established to acknowledge outstanding achievements within the rapidly growing space industry. It provides a platform for recognizing the efforts of individuals and organizations that are driving innovation, fostering partnerships, and promoting sustainability both in space and on Earth.
The event focuses on what it terms "playmakers," a group that includes pioneering founders, strategic investors, and other key figures who shape the direction of the global space economy. The addition of Campbell, a recognized founder himself, aligns with the awards' core mission.
A Closer Look at the Judging Committee
With Campbell's appointment, the judging panel for the 2025 Global Space Awards now consists of five prominent members. Each judge brings a unique set of skills and a distinct network, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process. The panel represents a cross-section of the modern space industry, from venture capital to corporate strategy and international advocacy.
The International Panel of Experts
The four other judges serving alongside Andy Campbell are established leaders in their respective fields:
- Anna Hazlett: As the Founder and Principal at Azurx & Azurx Space Ventures, Hazlett is deeply involved in financing and advising early-stage space technology companies. Her expertise lies in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.
- Hidetaka Aoki: A prominent "space evangelist" in Japan, Aoki is the Co-founder and Director of Space Port Japan and a Co-founder of the Spacetide Foundation. He is a key figure in developing Japan's commercial space infrastructure and policy.
- Sanjeev Gordhan: Gordhan is a General Partner at Type One Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on deep-tech and space-related investments. His role provides him with insight into the financial drivers of the industry.
- Andrew Robb: A Partner at the global professional services firm Deloitte, Robb serves as the EMEA Space Leader. He advises corporations and government agencies on strategy, risk, and financial operations within the space sector.
A Diverse Range of Expertise
The judging panel combines expertise from venture capital (Hazlett, Gordhan), international space ecosystem development (Aoki), corporate consulting (Robb), and successful entrepreneurship (Campbell), reflecting the multifaceted nature of the modern space industry.
This collective experience ensures that nominees are assessed not only on technical innovation but also on their business viability, market impact, and strategic importance. The international composition of the panel also highlights the global nature of the space economy.
Recognizing Industry-Wide Achievements
The Global Space Awards features a comprehensive list of categories that celebrate different facets of the space industry. The awards are designed to honor everything from individual leadership to technological breakthroughs and sustainable practices. This structure allows for a broad recognition of the diverse efforts that contribute to the sector's advancement.
An interesting feature of the nomination process is that individuals and companies are permitted to vote for themselves. This policy encourages confident participation from founders and teams who believe strongly in their own work and impact on the industry.
2025 Award Categories
The awards will be presented across eight distinct categories:
- Playmaker of the Year: Awarded to an individual who has made a significant impact on the direction and growth of the space industry.
- Super Scaler of the Year: Recognizes a company that has demonstrated exceptional growth in revenue, market share, or operational capacity.
- Space Investor of the Year: Honors an investor or venture capital firm that has made pivotal investments in the space sector.
- Partnership of the Year: Celebrates a successful collaboration between two or more organizations that has yielded significant results.
- Innovation Breakthrough: Awarded for a specific technological or engineering advancement that has transformative potential.
- Sustainability for Space Award: Recognizes efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of activities in space, such as debris mitigation.
- Sustainability for Earth Award: Honors a space-based technology or application that provides significant benefits for environmental sustainability on our planet.
- Science Breakthrough Award: Celebrates a fundamental scientific discovery made through space-related research.
These categories reflect the evolving priorities of the space sector, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and cross-sector partnerships. The awards aim to create a benchmark for excellence and inspire further progress across the global space community.