Redmond, WA – April 9, 2026 – Ryan Stevenson, Ph.D, founding team member and Chief Scientist at world-leading flat-panel satellite terminal manufacturer, Kymeta, has been inducted into the Class of 2026 for the Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Hall of Fame. Members of the Hall of Fame are recognized pioneers across the space and satellite industry with a record of significant achievement with lasting value.  

Joining an esteemed group of industry professionals, Stevenson was recognized in the Milestone Achievement category for his role in achieving a transformative breakthrough in satellite antenna technology: the world’s first simultaneous connection to both Ku and Ka frequency bands in a single, compact antenna aperture. This breakthrough paves the way for a new era of seamless satellite connectivity, bringing satellite communications closer to the type of ubiquitous connection seen in cellular.

The 24th Induction into the Hall of Fame took place at the inaugural Night of Excellence, last night (March 24, 2026), at The Howard Theatre, in Washington, DC, where Stevenson picked up his prestigious award. Ahead of the event, he took part in a mentorship session with the SSPI’s 25 under 35 cohort, which was broadcast as part of the night’s proceedings.

“Being inducted into the Space and Satellite Professionals International Hall of Fame is genuinely humbling,” said Ryan Stevenson, Chief Scientist at Kymeta. “As a scientist and engineer, I’ve spent most of my career focusing on the technical challenges rather than the spotlight.”

“When we began developing Kymeta’s flat-panel antenna technology, none of us were thinking about Hall of Fame moments. We were just trying to solve a really hard physics problem and commercialize it. Achieving simultaneous Ku and Ka band connectivity in a single aperture required a team willing to challenge long-held engineering assumptions and work incredibly hard to achieve the goal, and therefore this achievement truly is a recognition of the entire team.”

“If this milestone means anything, it’s that we’re one step closer to making satellite connectivity seamless and ubiquitous - something our customers can rely on without even thinking about it. To be recognized by SSPI, and to join a group of people who’ve shaped this industry in such fundamental ways is an incredible honor. I’m deeply grateful.”

The Kymeta ‘KuKa’ breakthrough has profound implications for the future of the industry, laying the groundwork for a “network of networks”, where satellite connectivity is seamless across orbits and frequency bands. Looking ahead, the type of pervasive connectivity unlocked by the technology will underpin national security endeavors like the Golden Dome by adding a sovereign, interconnected web of real-time communications to mesh components like ground-based radar and space-based sensors.  

Douglas Hutcheson, Board of Directors and former CEO at Kymeta, added, “Ryan has been the guiding force in translating metamaterials from advanced concepts into commercially deployed, industry-leading products. His optimism, analytical rigor, and understated leadership consistently push teams beyond what they believe is possible, while ensuring credit is shared across the organization. His vision and execution have been central to breakthroughs that are shaping the future of satellite communications, and his induction into the Space and Satellite Professionals International Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of a career defined by impact, innovation, and lasting contribution to the industry.”

“The satellite and space industry sits at a fascinating inflection point, where the rapid rate of innovation is bringing new technologies to the market at an unprecedented pace,” Stevenson concludes. “Long gone are the days when space and satellite enterprises operate in closed circles. The industry is opening itself up to the world. Being recognized for an industry milestone achievement is equally important for the direction Kymeta as a company is heading in. Our KuKa breakthrough is set to revolutionize the way we use SATCOM technology – replacing stove-piped and clunky legacy systems with seamless, streamlined connectivity solutions. I am confident of the change this breakthrough will bring, and in this way, I will gladly accept my induction into the Hall of Fame with bright hopes for the future of this industry.”

As a founding team member and now Chief Scientist at Kymeta, Stevenson has been instrumental in guiding the company from its initial spin-out to being an established industry player. For the past decade, he has played a central role in the development of Kymeta’s unique metamaterials-based antennas, which continue to deliver industry-leading efficiency and performance. Throughout his career, Stevenson has tirelessly worked to push space and satellite technology to a more innovative, open, and standardized future.   

For more information, visit kymetacorp.com.

For briefings, interviews or further information please contact:

361 Communications

Tom Clayton | tom.clayton@361communications.com 
Rachel Bowden | rachel.bowden@361communications.com  
Emma-Jo Jones | emma-jo.jones@361communications.com 
 

About Kymeta:

Kymeta revolutionizes satellite communications through Intelligent Communications Platforms (ICPs). Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Kymeta leverages cutting-edge metamaterial-based science to engineer, manufacture and deliver resilient connectivity and enhanced situational awareness for critical, mobile applications. Backed by U.S. and international patents, our electronically steered flat-panel antennas enable seamless communications on the move. With software-defined solutions, hybrid multi-network capabilities, and edge processing, we integrate satellite and cellular networks, ensuring continuous connectivity in challenging environments. Kymeta solutions serve government, military, maritime, transport, and public safety clients worldwide, providing uninterrupted connectivity and spatial intelligence anywhere, anytime. With over 150 patents, Kymeta is shaping the future of global communications, dedicated to delivering reliable, efficient, and intelligent connectivity solutions for an increasingly mobile and connected world. 

Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington.