Susmita Mohanty is a serial space entrepreneur and space diplomat. Her latest endeavour launched in October 2021 is India’s first dedicated space think tank called Spaceport SARABHAI (S2). As the Director General, she provides stewardship for S2’s mission and strategy. Armed with perspectives and insights from her rich and multilateral international experiences, she aspires to building broader international consensus and dialogue where space activities of Asia-Pacific nations have an increasingly strategic role to play in the sustainability of space exploration.

Susmita is the only space entrepreneur in the world to have co-founded companies on 3 different continents: EARTH2ORBIT, Bangalore (2009-2021), MOONFRONT, San Francisco (2001-2007) and LIQUIFER Systems Group, Vienna (2004-ongoing). Prior to turning entrepreneur, she worked for the International Space Station Program at Boeing in California and did a short stint at NASA Johnson.

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In 2022, when India celebrated 75 years of  independence, Susmita was one of 75 women honoured by the Indian government with the Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards. In 2019, she was selected as one of BBC’s 100 Women laureates inspiring and influencing a female-led future. In 2017, she was featured on cover of Fortune Magazine. In 2012, she was voted into Financial Times’ list of “25 Indians to Watch”. Technologies. In 2005, Susmita was honoured on Capitol Hill in Washington DC with the International Achievement Award for promoting international cooperation through her entrepreneurial ventures.

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Educated in India, France, and Sweden, Susmita holds multiple degrees including a PhD. She is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Future Council for Space Technologies.