Anousheh Ansari

On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. She also earned a place in history as the fourth private individual to visit space and the first astronaut of Iranian descent.

The Ansari family provided the title sponsorship for the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million cash award for the first non-governmental organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks.

Ansari is a member of the X Prize Foundation’s Vision Circle, as well as its Board of Trustees. She has received multiple honours, including the World Economic Forum
Young Global Leaders award, DFW International Community Alliance Hall of Fame award, the Working Woman’s National Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, George Mason University’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and George Washington University’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. As co-founder and chair of her latest technology company, Prodea Systems, she is focused on simplifying the digital home experience.