"It's an incredible honor to be selected as an Outstanding Aerospace Engineer recipient. I remember attending the OAE dinner as a student and realizing how much impact Purdue engineers could have on the world. It inspired me to aim higher and reach farther than I ever would have.”
John's vision for commercial spaceflight began at Purdue University, where he earned his degree in Aerospace Engineering before completing his master’s at Stanford. In 2015, he co-founded Astranis, building the company from the ground up to develop a new generation of small geostationary satellites. Under his leadership, Astranis launched its first satellite, Arcturus, in 2023, revolutionizing the industry with cost-effective GEO satellites. With contracts from the U.S. Space Force and international customers in the Philippines, Mexico, and Argentina, his innovative approach has positioned Astranis as a key player in satellite communications.
Beyond Astranis, John has shaped the commercial space industry as co-founder and former head of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF). Through CSF, he played a pivotal role in shaping policies that enabled companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic to thrive. His leadership also fostered opportunities for Purdue students and faculty in real-world spaceflight projects.
Today, John is one of the few entrepreneurs to have successfully scaled a space company producing operational, revenue-generating satellites. With over $750 million in funding and a team of 300 engineers, he continues to drive innovation in satellite technology, inspiring Purdue students and alumni to pursue bold ideas in aerospace.