Sahith has brought his passion for connecting and empowering individuals to advance the future space economy to many organizations in his years of study. He began as an Aircraft Maintenance on the job training at Emirates Aviation, then went on to become a Graduate Engineer at Collins Aerospace (part of Raytheon Technologies), Aerospace Research Engineer Apprentice at the Masdar Institute (iEnergy) – MIT (USA) Corporation program, Production & Quality Engineer Apprentice at Hydro Middle East (Oil & Gas), and worked as well as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice at Air India Engineering Services Limited.

Sahith is a B.Tech Aerospace Engineering graduate (Gold Medalist & 100% Scholarship recipient) from Amity University in Dubai, UAE, currently pursuing an Advanced Master’s in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the ISAE-SUPAERO (National Higher French Institute of Aeronautics and Space) in Toulouse, France. Concurrently with his course-work at ISAE-SUPAERO, he is also doing his ITP (real-time industrial project) with Airbus Defense and Space on the topic “Optimizing the OneWeb Satellite Ground Stations Operational Availability using Model-Based Systems Engineering”.

Before starting his Master’s in September 2020, he worked full-time as an Aerospace Research Engineer in the Cube-Satellite Lab of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), University of Sharjah (UoS). There he was working on the development of Sharjah’s 1st 3U Astronomical Cube-Satellite named Sharjah-Sat-1, for observing solar coronal holes and bright X-ray sources in our galaxy, studies conducted in collaboration with the Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. He has also contributed to the building of the second UAE Meteor Monitoring Network, UAE MMN Yahar tower, sponsored by the UAE Space Agency (UAESA), and to the Radio Astronomy group on the UAE Space Agency project, named “Detection of Jovian Radio & Solar Emission at 20.1 MHz with a Decametric Radio Telescope Array.”

Notably international speaking and achievement awards Sahith received for his work:

  • Selected as part of the Future Sustainability Leaders (FSL) Programme 2021 – 1 Year Global Program by MASDAR – A Mubadala Company, Abu Dhabi (UAE),
  • “24 Under 24 Leaders and Innovators in STEAM and Space Award 2020” by The Mars Generation (TMG) in collaboration with Aerojet Rocketdyne (USA),
  • “Research Innovation Award” from the Alleem Business Congress 2020. Award presented by H.E. Dr. Rashid Alleem – Chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), Government of Sharjah (UAE),
  • “Distinguished Speaker Award” from the IEEE – MBRSC Young Professionals in Space Conference 2019, DWTC, Dubai (UAE),
    Fellow of the Britain’s Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) – 2020, 
  • Included in the “20 under 35 list of the Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) 2020 (USA)”, 
  • Recognition of “SGAC Member of the Month (MoM) – Feb 2020” by the Executive Committee of Space Generation Advisory Council, Vienna (Austria),
  • Winner of the “2019 Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Young Persons’ Lecture Competition UK”,
  • 2nd place out of 175 teams in the UAE Government Hackathon 2018. Award presented by H.E.Ohood Al Roumi – UAE Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing.
  • Awarded 2nd Prize at the Angel Hack 10th Global Hackathon Series 2017 – Commit to Your Code, ADNEC, Abu-Dhabi (UAE).

As part of academic research, Sahith has published 30 research and review papers in various international peer-reviewed journals and presented 18 technical papers, receiving the “Best Paper and Presentation” Award for three of them. 

Besides his professional career, firstly, throughout his role as SGAC UAE’s National Point of Contact since 2019, Sahith engaged himself in various initiatives to get local students and young professionals to discover the beauty of the Aerospace Industry. Connecting them around the world and facilitating them to grow their professional networks are key goals he’s now planning to achieve at the national and international level. Passionate by communication and collaboration amongst the youth with space-related organizations existing in UAE, while also synchronizing local projects for students and young professionals, as well as coordinating and participating in events that promote space applications, Sahith is making his expert suggestions on how space can be leveraged, and provides a platform for discourse among next-gen decision-makers on the matter of space.

Secondly, thanks to his appointment as a Space Education – Goodwill Ambassador for the National Endeavour for Student Transformation (NEST), an initiative by The Akshaya Patra Foundation, India, Sahith wants to equip future Space Pioneers with exclusive career development opportunities, to expand the portfolio of the local young talent who are in the engines of catapulting the UAE & Middle East Space Industry to the zenith. 

A firm believer of Innovation often occurring at boundaries of discipline and that one should always be ready to go forth that extra step or put in that extra effort to overcome all the barriers to realize his/her vision, Sahith has radically changed his life and career after a self-imposed sabbatical to follow his passion by helping others to shine.

For more information please visit his personal website:

https://www.sahithreddy-aero.com/

History with SGAC

“SGAC is a fantastic organization with so many great members volunteering and I am truly honored to be nominated for this Pioneer Award.

Since 2015, after joining SGAC as a simple member, and then developing both professionally and personally thanks to all the great advice and opportunities received, I now realise the importance of networking and connecting with Space’s passionate and like-minded people.

Being part of the organising team for the Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop (APSGW) in 2017, a two-day regional workshop for university students and young professionals in the Asia-Pacific region, held in Bangalore, India, I came to know SGAC is the network that has the power of changing one’s life.

After the APSG workshop, I got a chance to organise and participate in the SGAC Round Table Conference on “How to Prepare the Next Generation of Emerging Space Nations?” at the Global Aerospace Summit organised by Mubadala Investment Company  in May 2018, Abu-Dhabi, UAE.

Then, I have got the opportunity to represent SGAC as a Speaker & panelist at various international conferences in the UAE such as: 22nd Humans in Space Symposium (HIS 2019) organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the Space Pavilion and Women in Space (Tech Talk) Conference 2019 organized by UAE Space Agency at the Dubai Air Show Site, and the 4th IEEE – MBRSC Young Professionals in Space (YPinSpace) Conference 2019.

In October 2019, I became the 1st person to be represented on behalf of SGAC as an Invited Speaker & Jury member for the NASA Space App Challenge Azerbaijan 2019 (Organized by Azercosmos, jointly with the US Embassy) at ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan. The Hackathon triggered the signing of an MOU between the two organizations (Azercosmos and SGAC) during IAC 2019 in Washington DC, USA.

Moreover, in February 2020, I represented on behalf of the SGAC as a Delegate & Speaker from UAE at the “57th session of the United Nations COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee”, held at the UN Headquarters – Vienna International Center (VIC), Austria. And, also received the recognition of “SGAC Member of the Month (MoM) – Feb 2020” by the Executive Committee for my contribution towards UN COPUOS.

Currently, acting as the UAE’s National Point of Contact (NPoC) and local organizing committee member, I have been involved in facilitating and helping to organize SGAC main events in the UAE, such as Young Space Leaders Forum and NextGen platform, at the Global Space Congress,  as well as the Global Aerospace Summit, which happens every year in Abu-Dhabi, UAE.

My most recent extra-volunteering roles have been as Logistics Team Member/Lead for the Space Generation United event, the 1st virtual conference of SGAC in 2020 – replacing SG Congress 2020 in Dubai, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 1st SGAC Year End Party 2020.

I love the way SGAC scholarships bring opportunities to young people who otherwise would never be able to attend events and experience this magic that fascinates me so much. Engaging yourself in SGAC makes you develop your leadership and soft skills. You will learn how to discuss in teams, present your ideas and later present your results in front of a big audience, as well as how to approach and talk to CEOs, heads of agencies, and other partner organizations.

Being nominated for the Pioneer Award, and receiving it during the live event, gave me a greater understanding of my most notable achievements, for which I am deeply honored to the SGAC network and Executive Committee Members for allowing me to excel in my passion and to better know my purpose. Through the hard work, I have done and awards received in the past years, I would like to tell you, the reader, that you can do it too. With a clear mind and focus, with people who believe in you, you can make your goals a reality!

Instead of conclusions, I’d like to share with my fellow SGAC colleagues, friends, and readers my personal characteristics on my plan to make goals a reality. Set the New Year 2021 with these 5 bullet points:

  • Always accept criticism to learn to improve rather than taking negative feedback to the heart or letting it get you down. 
  • Follow your passion and believe in “If you truly love what you’re doing, rather than being driven by financial motives, it’s easier to achieve your goals”. 
  • Be a lifelong learner. 
  • Ongoing training and staying updated on industry changes give you a better position to capitalize on success. 
  • Always set deadlines and believe in putting a date down on paper to achieve a goal. This keeps you on track to meet it (being volunteering activities or in a professional context also). Once you have met one goal, l create the next one and set another hard deadline.

That said, I would like to thank Curtis, Roman, Ahmed, Srikanth, and Roxy for endorsing me, as well as Davide, Harriet, and Elizabeth, for selecting me and your kind words that brought tears to my eyes. I love working with you and spreading the word about SGAC.

For me, being part of the SGAC organisation is like a dream come true, and I’d like to invite students and young professionals to the start of the New Year 2021 with new initiatives. On my side, I will be fully contributing back my knowledge and efforts to the global space community.

Ad astra!”

1).    Awarded the recognition of “SGAC Member of the Month (MoM)” by the Executive Committee of Space Generation Advisory Council, Austria – February 2020 for Sahith’s non-profit and STEAM contributions towards the organization.
2).   As SSPI is one of the partners and supporters of SGAC, Sahith was an active member of both the organisation were he contributed a lot of his knowledge and support towards space sciences, astronomy, and non-profit – For that he also received a prestigious award in 2020 named “20 under 35 award – Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)” USA.
3). Delegate & Speaker (from UAE) on behalf of the Space Generation Advisory Council at the “57th session of the United Nations COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee”, held at the Vienna International Center, Austria, February 3rd – 14th 2020.
4). Invited Speaker & Panel member on behalf of the Space Generation Advisory Council at the “22nd Humans in Space Symposium (HIS)” – organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) in collaboration with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai, UAE, November 11th – 14th 2019.
5).    Invited Speaker & Jury member: 1st person to be represented on behalf of SGAC (nominated by former SGAC ED: Ms. Clémentine Decoopman) for the NASA Space App Challenge 2019 (Organized by Azercosmos, jointly with US Embassy in Azerbaijan) from October 18-20, 2019 at ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan.  Throughout the event Sahith was involved in fortifying the collaboration between SGAC and Azercosmos because the Hackathon triggered the signing of a MOU between the two organizations during IAC 2019 in Washington D.C, USA.
6). SGAC 2020 Logistics Team Member/Lead for the Space Generation Congress (SGC 2020). Sahith worked closely with DXB Live (SGC organizing venue partner) for finalizing all the SGC 2020 Dubai event venues and logistics related items (before COVID-19 pandemic). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event changed to the Space Generation United 2020, the 1st SGAC Online Conference, having a sound success.

7). SGAC Speaker at the Space Pavilion & Women in Space (Tech Talk) Conference organized by UAE Space Agency at the Dubai Airshow Site from 17 – 21 November 2019. Mainly for increasing event collaboration between UAESA and SGAC – and receive funding for future events.
8).    SGAC Speaker at the Global Aerospace Summit 2018 and at the Round Table Discussion on the topic, “How to prepare the next generation of emerging space nations?”, (Young Space Leaders Forum & Next Gen Leaders Forum) hosted by the Mubadala & UAE Space Agency at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu-Dhabi, between 30th April – 2nd May 2018.
9).  Nominated by the SGAC for the Knowledge Management for Space Organizations Committee at the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in April 2020.
10).  Invited Speaker & Panelist: Sahith represented SGAC and UAE Space Agency projects and received the “Distinguished Speaker Award” at the 4th Young Professionals in Space (YPinSpace) Conference 2019, organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in collaboration with IEEE, at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 4th – 6th 2019.

11). SGAC Speaker at the 15th Gulf Astronomy Colloquium 2019 organized by the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Science, and Technology [SAASST] in collaboration with UAE Space Agency in Sharjah, UAE from September 27th – 29th, 2019.

Sahith has been instrumental in building a good relationship between the two organizations, UAE Space Agency and SGAC, establishing, as a long term vision, the local knowledge pool of youth to contribute back to the country.

12). SGAC / SAASST Speaker & Panelist – honored to receive the “Research Innovation Award” from Alleem Business Congress (5th Annual Water & Energy Congress Week) which was held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah, UAE on 12th February 2020. Received as well a token of appreciation from H.E. Dr. Rashid Alleem – Chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) & Founder of Alleem Knowledge Center.

13). As part of my SGAC journey so far Sahith was instrumental in signing of MOUs along with Ms. Clémentine Decoopman (former Executive Director) in the Middle East region, such as UAE Space Agency, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and South Caucasus region of Eurasia, Azercosmos.
14). As a SGAC local committee organizing member in the UAE – Sahith was also successful in collaborating with the UAE Space Agency and Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) for organizing the 50th Moon Landing Anniversary event, attracting a lot of enthusiasm from local youth.
15). Currently, Sahith plans new initiatives for the SGAC Indian team, for signing collaborations for sponsorship for local space events in India, such as the National Endeavour for Student Transformation (NEST), an initiative by The Akshaya Patra Foundation, India.
16) Sahith was previously involved in helping to organize SGAC joint international events in the UAE, such as the Young Space Leaders Forum and Next Gen platform at Global Space Congress (every 2 years), as well as the Global Aerospace Summit, which happens every year in Abu-Dhabi, UAE, engaging the youth leaders from all around the world to come up with innovative solutions through discussions for the current issues in the field of aerospace.