The Orbit Awards were given by the National Space Society

National Space Society

The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...

 and the Space Tourism Society

Space Tourism Society

The Space Tourism Society was founded in 1996. It is the first organization specifically focused on the space tourism industry.Their stated goals, quoted from their :"To conduct the research,build public desire,...

 to pioneers in the private space travel industry, and presented at the Annual International Space Development Conference

The actual award is a holographic crystal created by international artist, Eileen Borgeson and holography pioneer, Jeff Allen. ‘Orbit Awards’ were co-sponsored by EArt Gallery and Interior Systems, and were received by: Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin is an American mechanical engineer, retired United States Air Force pilot and astronaut who was the Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing in history...

, Richard Branson

Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....

, Paul Allen

Paul Allen

Paul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...

, Rick Searfoss, Robert Bigelow

Robert Bigelow

Robert T. Bigelow is a hotel and aerospace entrepreneur. He owns the hotel chain Budget Suites of America and is the founder of Bigelow Aerospace....

, The X PRIZE Foundation

X Prize Foundation

The X PRIZE Foundation is a non-profit organization that designs and manages public competitions intended to encourage technological development that could benefit mankind....

, Scaled Composites

Scaled Composites

Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...

, Zero Gravity Corporation

Zero Gravity Corporation

Zero Gravity Corporation is an American company based in Vienna, Virginia, formerly of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which operates weightless flights from United States airports...

, Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson may refer to:* Eric Anderson , British educator* Eric Anderson , English soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross* Eric Anderson , American basketball player...

 and Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari is an engineer and the Iranian-American co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems. Her previous business accomplishments include serving as co-founder and CEO of Telecom Technologies, Inc. . The Ansari family is also the title sponsor of the Ansari X Prize. On September 18, 2006,...

.