Satellite technology
10 space mission operations experts
These ten professionals have operated spacecraft or led mission operations at satellite and space companies, as operations engineers, flight directors and mission operations managers. A reader can learn how space companies staff and run mission operations for spacecraft in orbit.
Professionals to explore
01—10Caroline Reid
LinkedInExperience: Spacecraft Operations Engineer · Rocket Lab
Former Spacecraft Operations Engineer at Rocket Lab (2023–2026), and in a senior spacecraft operations engineer role there since March 2026, which the profile headline gives as Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer. The profile describes serving as Mission Director for the ESCAPADE mission and leading an operations team. Former Mission Operations Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2021–2023).
Ethan Doubet
LinkedInExperience: Kuiper - Manager, Mission Operations (L6) · Amazon
Former Kuiper - Manager, Mission Operations (L6) (2023–2025) and Kuiper - Sr. Flight Director (L6) (2022–2023) at Amazon. Principal Vehicle & Mission Operations Engineer at K2 Space Corporation since April 2026. The profile describes the person as a systems-oriented technical leader who trained as a NASA Flight Controller.
Iniabasi Ituen
LinkedInExperience: Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer · Avanti Communications
Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer at Avanti Communications since April 2023. Former Spacecraft Operations Engineer (2019–2023) and Spacecraft Controller (2017–2019) at Avanti Communications. The profile describes being part of the team responsible for providing engineering support for day-to-day operations.
Janelle Wellons
LinkedInExperience: Lead Mission Operations Engineer · ispace, inc.
Lead Mission Operations Engineer at ispace, inc. since October 2025 and Mission Test & Operations Manager there since May 2026, and former Senior Mission Operations Engineer at ispace, inc. (2022–2025). The profile headline describes serving as M1 and M2 Flight Director and M2 Deputy Mission Director. Former Instrument Operations Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2016–2022).
Jerry Jason
LinkedInExperience: Flight Director · Sierra Space
Flight Director at Sierra Space since March 2023, a role the profile headline describes as Deputy Director, Flight Operations and Dream Chaser Flight Director. Former Director, Mission Operations & Data Systems at Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (2018–2023), Mission Operations Director at Spire (2016–2018), VP Spacecraft Operations & Engineering at EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. (2014–2016) and Flight Director at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2008–2014).
Kevin Hicks
LinkedInExperience: Lead Mission Operations Engineer · Millennium Space Systems
Lead Mission Operations Engineer at Millennium Space Systems since June 2025, where the profile describes defining mission operations and ground CONOPs and requirements. Former Operations Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2023–2025) and Flight Dynamics Lead at Texas Spacecraft Laboratory (2017–2019). The profile describes the person as a spacecraft designer and operator.
Liz Lisso
LinkedInExperience: Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer, Tech Lead - Latency Reduction · Capella Space
Former Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer, Tech Lead - Latency Reduction (2024–2025) and Spacecraft Operations Engineer (2022–2024) at Capella Space, where the profile describes serving as Tech Lead of the company's Latency Program. Mission Operations Engineer at Varda Space Industries since May 2026.
Mark Longanbach
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Mission Operations · Planet
SVP, Mission Operations at Planet since February 2024. Former Vice President, Mission Operations (2020–2024), Senior Director Of Operations (2019–2020) and Director Of Operations (2017–2019) at Planet. The profile describes leadership in building operational functions and teams, resolving issues, driving programs and managing personnel, budget and strategic planning.
Peter Mahoney
LinkedInExperience: Senior Mission Operations Engineer · Astranis Space Technologies
Senior Mission Operations Engineer at Astranis Space Technologies since May 2025, and former Mission Operations Engineer II there (2023–2025). The profile describes flying the world's first Micro-GEO communication satellites and developing mission design and ground products to support upcoming missions. Former System Engineer at Northrop Grumman (2021–2023).
Raymond Mussoline
LinkedInExperience: Technical Manager - Satellite Operations Support · IRIDIUM SATELLITE LLC
Technical Manager - Satellite Operations Support at IRIDIUM SATELLITE LLC since January 2017, where the profile describes managing the team responsible for the manual and automated satellite commanding tool suite and procedures, operational tools and checklists, and anomaly support and resolution. Former Satellite Operations System Engineer at Boeing (2005–2017).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's mission type to yours, since a single science or lunar mission, a GEO communications fleet and a large LEO constellation are run very differently. Also decide whether you need a hands-on operations engineer or someone who has built and led an operations organization.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you prepare an operations team and its procedures before launch and early orbit operations?
- 02How do you structure anomaly response so that the team acts quickly without taking unnecessary risk?
- 03What do you automate first when the number of spacecraft you operate starts to grow?
Reaching space mission operations experts
How can I contact one of these space mission operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Rocket Lab, Amazon and Avanti Communications, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach space mission operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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