Chris Stott
Chris Stott founded ManSat in 2000 and was instrumental in the formation of the SpaceIsle initiative, which established the Isle of Man as a major domicile and corporate service provider to the commercial space sector. But for Chris, doing business and doing good for the next generation are inextricably linked. He set up the ManSat Fellowship to give students from the Isle an opportunity to fully explore the industry he loves. Every year since its founding in 2000, the Fellowship has helped groups of students attend NASA’s United Space School, exposing them to the industry and its many opportunities and giving them a chance to meet and work with other gifted students from all around the world. Chris is also heavily involved in the Conrad Foundation through ManSat, encouraging students from the Isle of Man to study issues in the space sector and to submit their proposals to the international forum of the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge. ManSat has also supported opportunities for Manx students to study at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute and a series of scholarships for Manx students to attend the International Space University. In addition, Chris volunteers with many NGOs supporting STEM and STEAM education around the world including the Challenger Centers, the AMAR Foundation, and of course SSPI itself.
With his encouragement and support, many of Chris’s students have gone on to build impressive careers in the space industry. Chris has been a constant source of inspiration for students across the Isle. In 2004, he arranged the loan of a large piece of Moon rock from the Apollo 15 mission to the Manx National Heritage, attracting thousands of visitors and a visit by the British Astronomical Association. More recently, Chris arranged, through ManSat, for a number of Isle of Man students to compete in the United Kingdom model rocket challenge. Chris is a graduate and member of the Board of the International Space University. He is also a Founding Trustee of the ISU International Institute of Space Commerce,the Manna Energy Foundation and Geeks Without Frontiers, which works to bring renewable energy to developing nations. An honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society, Chris is currently Chairman of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI).