Minoo Rathnasabapathy

Dr. Minoo Rathnasabapathy is a Research Engineer and Program Lead at the MIT Media Lab, focusing on space sustainability and climate intelligence. She previously served as Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), a global NGO supporting UN space initiatives. Holding a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University, her research integrates circular design principles to address Earth stewardship and space exploration challenges. Her work has been featured in major media outlets like CNN, BBC, and ABC News Australia.

Educated at RMIT, her doctoral research explored impact dynamics of aerospace materials. She is a Fellow of the World Economic Forum’s Space Technologies Platform, member of the Global Future Council on Space, and former Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (2018–2021). Her awards include the 2025 Karman Fellowship for leadership in space sustainability.

Her research areas span space policy, Earth observation for climate solutions, and sustainable space practices. Key contributions include the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) system, a collaborative project with ESA, WEF, and others to incentivize responsible orbital practices. She has published extensively on emerging nations' roles in space sustainability, barriers to global policy adoption, and the intersection of space technology with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Rathnasabapathy’s grants include funding from MIT’s Energy Initiative for projects leveraging satellite data to enhance renewable energy infrastructure resilience. She collaborates with global institutions, including the White House and ESA, and has advised on space governance at forums like the UN COPUOS. Her team, Space Enabled at MIT, develops tools like data visualization platforms for climate communication and policy-making.

Future work emphasizes scaling SSR adoption, advocating for equitable access to space resources, and fostering international partnerships to ensure long-term orbital sustainability. She remains a vocal advocate for the integration of space technology in addressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.