Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has presented the State Award for Global Contribution to High Technology to Kam Ghaffarian, co-founder and executive chairman of X-energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space and Quantum Space, the government’s press service reported.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Pashinyan said the distinction recognizes individuals whose ideas, determination and work have expanded the boundaries of technological possibility.
He recalled how Ghaffarian’s interest in space exploration began when he watched the first Moon landing in 1969 as a child.
More than five decades later, in 2024, Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus spacecraft landed on the Moon, becoming the first American spacecraft to achieve a lunar landing in more than 50 years.
Pashinyan also highlighted the achievements of Axiom Space, which organized the first entirely private crewed mission to the International Space Station and is developing a commercial space station.
The prime minister said these achievements demonstrate that scientific and technological potential is not determined by a country’s geographical size.
“Armenia has rich scientific and engineering traditions. Today, our goal is to transform that potential into a major driver of modern economic development, high productivity and international competitiveness,” he said.
Pashinyan outlined Armenia’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, advanced computing, space technology and innovative entrepreneurship. He cited the country’s experience with ArmSat-1 and HAYASAT-1, the latter designed and built by Armenian specialists.
However, he emphasized that Armenia aims to become a developer of internationally competitive technologies rather than merely a user of foreign innovations.
“We want Armenian universities, scientists, engineers and companies to become creators of technological value on a global scale,” he said.
Pashinyan also expressed interest in cooperation between Ghaffarian’s companies and Armenian scientific, educational and technological institutions, noting that preliminary discussions had already taken place.
He added that the award offers young Armenians an opportunity to learn from individuals whose work has helped shape technological progress.
Accepting the award, Ghaffarian thanked the Armenian government and expressed regret that he had not visited Armenia earlier.
“It is truly a great honor for me. My only regret is that I did not visit Armenia earlier. Let me say that I love Armenia, and I will come again,” he said.
Ghaffarian also expressed hope of establishing partnerships with Armenian technology companies and organizations in other sectors.
Kam Ghaffarian’s career
Ghaffarian began his entrepreneurial career in 1994 by founding Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), which provided engineering, information technology and scientific support services to government agencies.
SGT became one of NASA’s two largest engineering services contractors, supporting operations aboard the International Space Station and astronaut training programmes. Its annual revenue exceeded $500 million before its acquisition by KBR.
Before establishing his own companies, Ghaffarian held technical and management positions at Lockheed Martin, Ford Aerospace and Loral.
He currently chairs the board of X-energy, which develops advanced nuclear energy technologies.
Ghaffarian is also a co-founder of Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), a participant in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, and Axiom Space, which develops private space infrastructure. His involvement with the companies dates to December 2012 and August 2016, respectively.
