John DiPalma

John DiPalma is a spacecraft engineer with over two decades of experience developing innovative, cost-effective space technologies. He has provided systems engineering and design support to programs including NASA’s CLPS Blue Ghost lunar lander, the OneWeb satellite constellation, NASA/JPL Deep Space 1, the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), BlackSky earth-observation spacecraft, and classified government missions. His expertise spans mission architecture, structural and thermal engineering, assembly, integration & test, and mission operations.

Throughout his career, Mr. DiPalma has developed innovative approaches to spacecraft development—from plug-and-play modular satellite architectures to rapid qualification of COTS electronics for space applications. He co-founded and led SpaceWorks Inc., Scottsdale, AZ for over 20 years, where he specialized in low-cost, rapid satellite development for NASA and the Air Force Research Lab, and contributed to reducing spacecraft costs and lead times for commercial constellations and government programs. His experience includes key engineering roles at OneWeb Satellites, Spectrum Astro (now Northrop Grumman), and OrbitalATK, and he has supported many proprietary commercial spacecraft systems, with hands-on involvement in successful launches across multiple vehicle platforms including Falcon 9, Electron, ULA-Delta, and ESA-Soyuz.

Mr. DiPalma has overseen spacecraft development from concept through launch operations, with a proven track record of innovation, cost-efficiency, and delivery. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.