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Via Satellite Rising Stars of 2025

The Via Satellite Rising Stars of 2025 highlights a cohort of 25 young professionals, age 35 and under, nominated by their colleagues, on the rise in the space and satellite industry. July 28th, 2025

Back for the second year, Via Satellite recognizes a new class of 25 Rising Stars — a group of young professionals shaping the future of the space and satellite industry. These 25 young professionals nominated by their colleagues are making significant contributions to their companies — whether that’s in engineering, policy and regulation, business development, and more.

The 2025 cohort of Rising Stars was selected based on specific contributions to their companies and the space and satellite industry at large, detailed by their nominators. These Rising Stars are 35 and under and represent a diverse group of young professionals from a range of companies, job functions, and countries.

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Ray Allensworth, Spacecraft Program Director, Firefly Aerospace, 31

Ray Allensworth, spacecraft program director, Firefly Aerospace, made her mark on a historic mission, leading the Blue Ghost lunar program that completed the first successful commercial soft landing on the Moon in early March. Ray has led Firefly’s lunar program since the company was first awarded the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract in 2021, and she’s on deck to lead the next two Blue Ghost Moon missions as well. Ray has both a technical and business-oriented background and is highly respected at Firefly for her leadership, creative thinking, and organization skills, while being known for building team camaraderie as well. “As a young woman leader in aerospace, Ray further brings a diverse perspective to industry. Her achievements in leading the charge for a mission to the Moon will help inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders for years to come,” says Risa Schnautz, director of Marketing & Communications for Firefly Aerospace.

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Vishnu Alvakonda, Embedded Software Engineering Team Lead, Globalstar, 31

Vishnu Alvakonda has distinguished himself at Globalstar by taking ownership of complex technologies and successfully shepherding them from concept to reality. As embedded software lead for Globalstar's two-way satellite IoT solution he spearheaded the development of the technology. Under his technical leadership, the team successfully architected and implemented this solution within Globalstar's RM200M product, culminating in a commercial launch in February 2025. He’s able to be flexible when working with manufacturing processes and directly with factory teams to proactively address issues. Alex Katko, vice president of Product Engineering for Globalstar, says Vishnu “possesses a distinctive blend of technical vision and hands-on problem-solving capabilities that makes him an invaluable asset to any team. His pragmatic approach to both design and testing ensures robust, real-world solutions.”

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Christopher Balch, Associate, Milbank LLP, 34

Christopher Balch of Milbank LLP has worked on behalf of some of the largest satellite operators in a number of high-profile issues. For example, he was the lead associate on behalf of the seller in AST SpaceMobile’s acquisition of L-band spectrum usage rights from Ligado Networks. He also served as the lead associate on behalf of a major satellite operator client in strategizing market entry for the distribution of capacity from a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to customers around the globe. Balch is a rising star in space law and he has developed a wide breadth of experience in drafting and negotiating launch services agreements, launch and in-orbit insurance policies, satellite capacity agreements and debt instruments secured by satellite infrastructure and related spectrum use rights.

Milbank Partner Patrick Campbell, says his colleague “has a positive, can-do attitude and an ability to think across a variety of legal disciplines. Chris is thoughtful, thorough and excels under pressure. He is always willing to go the extra mile for his clients.”

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Stefan Draškoci, Lead 5G NTN Engineer, Aalyria, 26

Stefan Draškoci, lead 5G NTN engineer for Aalyria, represents “a new generation of space engineers who think beyond traditional boundaries,” says CTO Brian Barritt. Stefan, based in the United Kingdom, has deep expertise in emerging 5G/6G non-terrestrial networking (NTN) architectures and their integration with terrestrial networks. He co-led the creation of an open-source TN/NTN interworking API that enables real-time coordination between terrestrial (TN) and satellite networks. This innovation has implications for how quickly first responders can take action to save lives. At just 26, Stefan brings a digital-native approach to satellite engineering and he’s also involved in influencing international standards to make satellite integration more accessible and sustainable, through his participation in 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance working groups.

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Kevin Eisenhauer, Senior Principal Regulatory Engineer, Intelsat, now part of SES, 31

Kevin Eisenhauer, senior principal regulatory engineer for Intelsat, now part of SES, has become a key voice in spectrum issues, playing a pivotal role in building regional regulatory support across Africa to protect C-band satellite spectrum from 5G encroachment. Kevin’s persistent one-on-one engagement with national regulators helped to ensure that satellite priorities would receive equal footing with mobile industry interests. He also helped secure the publication of a key ITU technical report on mitigating 5G interference to C-band satellite operations, representing the collective global effort to protect and preserve satellite services. Kevin is able to collaborate as a teammate across disciplines and geographies whether he’s working with technical engineers, commercial teams, or legal advisors. “With a unique mix of diplomacy, foresight, and execution, Kevin has established himself as a rising star destined to lead the next generation of satellite policy work as spectrum continues to grow in importance,” says Hazem Moakkit, vice president of Spectrum Strategy for Intelsat, now part of SES.

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Fletcher Franklin, Deputy Director of Analytics, BryceTech, 33

As deputy director of Analytics for BryceTech, Fletcher Franklin has delivered high-impact analysis and guidance to some of the most consequential stakeholders in the space industry, including government agencies, and major satellite manufacturers and service providers. One effort in particular is his leadership in developing a software model for the U.S. Space Force that forecasts commercial and government satellite launches. The tool has become a trusted resource for decision-makers. With more than a decade of experience in the industry across commercial, government, and financial sectors, BryceTech CEO Carissa Christensen says Fletcher provides sound, often prescient guidance to senior clients. “With him at the helm, you know your project will be managed efficiently and hit high professional standards, and incorporate creative and insightful analytic methodologies built through strong teamwork,” Christensen says. “His colleagues seek his input not only because he’s right, but because he listens.”

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Jameyanne Fuller, Special Counsel, Satellite Programs and Policy Division, FCC Space Bureau, 34

Jameyanne Fuller plays a leading role in shaping satellite communications policy — a critical area of the space industry. As special counsel for Satellite Programs and Policy Division in the FCC’s Space Bureau, she leads the team responsible for licensing complex satellite constellations. She conducts in-depth research on some of the technically and legally complex issues handled by the Space Bureau, and combines sharp analytical skills with an ability to write about technical issues in clear, accessible language. Space Bureau Deputy Chief Jennifer Gilsenan sums up Jameyanne’s impact: “As the [division’s] primary expert on complex satellite broadband applications, she is a key resource for the most challenging and high-impact issues. Her work on FCC rulemakings has a direct influence on the direction of the satellite industry,” she says.

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Dr. Nobuhiro Funabiki, Executive Officer, General Manager of Production, 30

ArkEdge Space is one of the new players in the vibrant Japanese space industry, a company that designs, develops and operates micro satellites. Dr. Nobuhiro Funabiki, executive officer, general manager of the production department, has successfully led the concurrent development, mass production, and operation of seven satellites with distinct missions, all in just three years. He also led efforts to develop collaboration with companies that had not been in the space industry, in order to manufacture the satellites — contributing to the expansion of the overall market. He is also credited with earning the deep trust of those within the company and a broad range of external collaborators. Takayoshi Fukuyo, CEO of ArkEdge Space, says Nobuhiro shows “remarkable attentiveness to each team member, always mindful of their motivation, and has embodied the ideal of a leader who unites a team of diverse generations and backgrounds to achieve shared success.”

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Dr. Katie Gold, Asst. Professor of Grape Pathology, Cornell University, 32

Dr. Katie Gold’s research is at the intersection of plant pathology, remote sensing, and Earth Observation (EO) science. Over the past year, Katie has advanced the integration of ground-based plant disease sensing with satellite mission readiness through her development of a “ground truth” system to support a range of applications that includes a new generation of hyperspectral remote sensing missions. Her efforts are contributing to the development of global-scale tools for early disease detection, positioning remote sensing as a key solution to combat crop loss. She has successfully built partnerships with growers, researchers, and federal agencies, leading interdisciplinary research efforts. “She is advancing the use of satellite data to inform real-world agricultural decision-making. Not only innovating the tools we use to observe Earth but redefining their value to agriculture,” says Michael Humber, deputy director of NASA Acres Consortium.

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Peter Healy, Former U.S. Business Development Manager, Leanspace, 27

While space is an engineering-heavy industry, Peter Healy’s impact at Leanspace shows the importance of business development talent. In less than three years at the company, colleague and Solutions Architect Patrick Connolly says Peter served as a “force multiplier.” In the past 12 months, “He has personally mentored more than 20 colleagues — teaching junior engineers how to frame ideas so they resonate; guiding marketers through technical nuance; and coaching product managers to probe deeper into competitor and customer data,” Patrick says. Peter also helped Leanspace, a French company, overcome hurdles to enter the U.S. market, securing partnerships in the U.S. and helping to open its first U.S. office in Denver. With a personal passion for bouldering, he’s known for scaling obstacles in the outdoors and in business.

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Anna Humphreys, Lead Test Engineer, Orbit Fab, 27

In the past year, Anna Humphreys was selected as Orbit Fab’s test lead. Since then, she led the successful manufacturing and testing of the startup’s GRIP system, the capture mechanism and refueling interface for the company’s satellite refueling technology. Anna is able to bring structure and clarity to complex technical programs, and she’s shaping how Orbit Fab scales. “Her planning system has become the gold standard at Orbit Fab, with other teams actively adopting her methods to improve execution and coordination,” Bailey McPhee, director of People Operations. At the same time, she is credited with an ability to lead with clarity and care, and create an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued.

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Dr. Emma Cain Louden, President, Slooh, 27

Dr. Emma Cain Louden, who recently completed a PhD in Astrophysics from Yale University, is described as a connector — someone who knows everyone in the space industry, and excels at bringing people together. Emma has mentored many students, spoken on TEDx and international stages about inclusion in the space sector, and is now part of a new digital education platform Slooh to bring live telescope feeds and astronomy education to students. She’s passionate about inspiring the next generation in space, even writing a children’s book “Mia and the Martians,” inspired by her own journey into astrophysics. “She’s making education more accessible, publishing space stories for kids, and consistently showing up for the next generation. She moves quickly, thinks deeply, and cares a lot about the people coming up behind her,” Emma’s friend Jen Scholten says.

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Lorcan McGonigle, VP of Sensing, BlackSky, 34

With nine years of experience at BlackSky, Lorcan McGonigle started as a systems engineer and has progressed into senior roles. Now vice president of Sensing, Lorcan previously served as vice president of Product. He’s credited with leading software innovation to make BlackSky’s constellation more efficient in how it collects and delivers data to customers. His leadership helped engineers deliver performance gains of minutes per customer request, multiplying the number of requests that can be served in a day. Lorcan’s manager Tyman Stephens, senior vice president of Space Architecture, says he’s known for keeping a focus on improving the quality of the product and service for the end user. “Lorcan maintains an intense focus on customers in an industry that can often be too focused on publicity stunts, or engineering feats done for the sake of the coolness factor rather than innovation,” Tyman says.

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Andrew Meldrum, Spacecraft and Mission Engineer, Myriota, 30

Andrew Meldrum played a pivotal role in both the hardware and software development of the proprietary communications payload for Australian IoT startup Myriota, which launched last year. After supporting the payload through end-to-end development and on-orbit commissioning and operations, Andrew is now leading the design of next-generation IoT payloads for lunar applications. His project manager Adrian Shuard describes Andrew as having a “relentless quest for knowledge,” as he’s pursuing postgraduate research in magnetic levitation platforms at the University of Adelaide and took a year-long spacecraft dynamics program at Osaka University. Adrian says he’s strengthened Myriota’s technical edge, and he’s known for going beyond his responsibilities. “Whether he's resolving integration issues, mentoring early-career engineers, developing innovative tools for constellation design or translating abstract ideas into practical engineering solutions, his adaptability and calm under pressure make him a trusted and dependable colleague."

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Karina Perez Molina, Director, Space and Spectrum Policy Center at Computer & Communications Industry Association, 30

As the inaugural director for the Computer & Communications Industry Association’s (CCIA) Space & Spectrum Policy Center, Karina Perez Molina has set the stage to shape policy for the deployment and competition in satellite broadband in the U.S. and abroad. Tasked with building the center from the ground up, Karina has taken her expertise and connections from across the industry to engage with companies and lawmakers to find consensus on the evolving issues. Colleagues Tricia McCleary and Gabriel Delsol say she has dramatically boosted CCIA’s presence in this sector in a matter of months. “Karina is an extremely hard worker and one who uses her time and energy to lift up women and underrepresented communities in the aerospace industry. Her passion for space and spectrum allows her to build consensus among policymakers and industry leaders to enable innovation and advancement,” her colleagues said.

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Grace Ochs, Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Terran Orbital, 25

With just two years spent at Terran Orbital, Grace Ochs is the lead systems engineer on Phoenix, one of the company’s highest priority programs. Grace has worked on the program across multiple roles from individual contributor, lead technical coordinator, and program manager. She provided material benefit to reworking the program schedule, has published numerous program documents, and has been the most prominent systems engineer in building the Phoenix. Michael Koenig, program engineering director, describes Grace as a natural leader, with unrivaled positivity while being meticulous and level-headed. “Grace has both depth and breadth. She is capable of understanding all the major sub-systems of a satellite while also being able to discuss in depth each of the significant technical components. Only a few engineers can do both extremely well,” he says.

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Helen Percival, Systems Engineering Architect & Section Head, Calian, 32

As an engineering leader at Calian, Helen Percival led the design of a resource orchestration tool that enables satellite operators to dynamically and efficiently manage their resources in real time. This flexible solution helps customers maximize the utility of their satellite assets while adapting to rapidly changing mission demands. Helen also developed and mentored Calian’s systems engineering team while also supporting the growth of the development team, fostering stronger collaboration between systems engineers and developers. Eight years ago Helen started as an early-career engineer and is now seen as a trusted technical leader, both within Calian and among its customers. Jeff Drake, director of Marketing for Calian, says what sets her apart is “her ability to bridge the gap between complex customer requirements and agile, high-performance engineering solutions has made her integral to some of Calian’s most critical satellite communications projects.”

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Matt Rich, Deputy Chief Engineer, Space Development Agency, 33

As deputy chief engineer of the Space Development Agency, Matt Rich led the development of the integrated space and ground architecture for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This work involved leading the team assembling constellation designs, space vehicle specifications, and a ground segment design, and providing that architecture to industry and government organizations for planning, resourcing and implementation. Frank Turner, the SDA’s former technical director, called Matt’s work a “monumental task and a monumental achievement.”

“Not only is he always willing to help any colleague who needs it, but he is that teammate that takes the first step, creates the first product, puts paper to pen first and then iterates collaboratively to make the best product. No one at SDA is more dependable and no one more sought for their contributions,” he added.

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Angga Risnando, AVP Parenting & Partnership, Telkomsat, 35

Angga Risnando is a leader in Indonesia’s satellite industry, serving as assistant vice president of Parenting & Partnership for Indonesian satellite operator Telkomsat. He previously served as Telkomsat program manager for Starlink, leading a team of engineers to integrate Starlink for cellular backhaul in Indonesia. He is credited with leading crucial Telkomsat projects that brought internet access to schools in isolated areas, and telemedicine for rural healthcare, in addition to product development for the maritime and aviation industries. Angga also served as chairman of the Indonesia Aerospace Hackathon 2025, and organized a competition centered on satellite and space sustainability. “Angga is recognized for his pivotal role in shaping the future of Indonesia's industry. His profound understanding of creating a sustainable environment is a testament to his expertise and leadership,” Telkomsat Chief Development Officer Anggoro Kurnianto Widiawan said.

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Frederik Schoofs, FPGA Engineer, ST Engineering iDirect, 28

In the arena of ground tech, Frederik Schoofs is already making a name for himself. He is part of the team at ST Engineering iDirect that developed the MRC-DXM coding method at the physical layer, which has enhanced the efficiency and reliability of communication systems. His work focused specifically on improving the Ulogon mechanism to seamlessly capture carriers from multiple satellite beams. Frederik joined ST Engineering iDirect in 2018 as a QA engineer straight from university, and over the last seven years has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to learning and mastering the intricacies of satellite communications. “Frederik’s combination of ambition, curiosity, and technical skill not only benefits our team, but also highlights his immense potential as a leader and innovator in the satellite industry,” says Jan Van Puymbroeck, director of Engineering for ST Engineering iDirect.

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Tyson Sparks, Director of Engineering Development, York Space Systems, 34

Tyson Sparks, director of Engineering Development & Continuous Improvement for York Space Systems, has a rare combination of deep technical expertise, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a consistently positive attitude, says Sarah Walter, vice president of Space Vehicle Engineering for York Space Systems. Over the past year, Tyson led a spacecraft program from design to launch for a new communications technology for the U.S. government, helping his team overcome technical hurdles under tight timelines. He’s also credited with leading the development of multiple solutions to automate and accelerate space vehicle testing, to improve production efficiency. “What truly sets Tyson apart is his ability to tackle tough technical challenges head-on while maintaining a collaborative, solution-oriented mindset. He not only helps solve the hard problems, but he also lifts the energy of the entire team while doing it,” Sarah says.

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Brenden Swanik, Revenue Operations Manager, Voyager Technologies, 25

As the lead for Voyager Technologies’ Satellite Mission Management team, Brenden Swanick managed over a dozen cubesat missions in 2024 that were deployed from the International Space Station from the Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer. His work involved every aspect of mission coordination including design guidance, regulation compliance, interface with NASA safety and verification teams, and license coordination. Brenden is known for his attention to detail, which was a key part of the success of the missions. After two years in the position, he was recently promoted to revenue operations manager. “Brenden is destined for greatness — his dedication to his work is unmatched, and his professionalism ensures the job is done right,” Voyager CTO Mike Lewis says. Beyond his work at Voyager, Brenden started his own space podcast, “Chasing Space,” interviews some of the top leaders in the industry digging into the questions shaping space.

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Dr. Vani Murthy Vellanki, RF Engineer, AST SpaceMobile, 30

Direct-to-device (D2D) is one of the hottest topics in satellite. Dr. Vani Murthy Vellanki, radio frequency engineer for AST SpaceMobile, is credited with a leading a breakthrough in this area — the development and execution of one of the first-ever phone calls over satellite using a standard, unmodified mobile device — a breakthrough for the satellite communications industry and a critical validation of direct-to-cell connectivity. Vellanki has embraced and shaped the emerging SatRAN concept, with the aim of setting new standards and paving the way for future advancements. Federico Fawzi, vice president of Network Infrastructure of AST SpaceMobile, describes her as an emerging pioneer in the satellite industry. “Her success is not only a testament to her skill, but also an inspiration to young women pursuing careers in engineering and space technology,” he says.

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Hayley Villeneuve, Manager – Customer Service, MDA Space, 30

As manager for Customer Service in MDA Space’s Geospatial Services business, Hayley Villeneuve leads the team that delivers critical Earth Observation imagery to customers. She serves as a key point of contact during high-pressure, time sensitive events such as natural disasters to get imagery into the hands of decision-makers such as emergency responders and environmental agencies. Over seven years with MDA Space, Hayley’s expertise spans system integration, user interface design reviews, and end-to-end solution verification. In 2024, she led the successful integration and demonstration of planning interface with the MDA Chorus ground segment, which involved bridging design and development efforts across multiple business areas and locations. This project secured confidence in the MDA Chorus ground segment progress. “Hayley is widely respected for her integrity, humility and collaborative spirit,” says Gord Rigby, senior director of Operations and Geointelligence.

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Kari van Zyl, RF Engineer, Lockheed Martin Space, 29

Kari van Zyl is a highly accomplished radio frequency (RF) design engineer at Lockheed Martin Space. As a Microwave and Millimeter-wave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) designer, Kari has been doing fundamental research on spur cancellation techniques using multi-core mixers, work that can reduce the power, size, and weight of critical payloads. “Kari’s technical foundation shines through her creative exploration of IEEE papers and innovative experiments. She has exceptional presentation skills, particularly demonstrated in research and development of integrated circuits,” says Chris Ashworth, RF engineering manager, Lockheed Martin Space. He describes her as a “natural-born leader,” who spends time mentoring young engineers and bringing engineers together for hikes and walks. VS