Early Life
Kamal Ghaffarian, born in Iran, developed a passion for space at a young age, inspired by the Apollo 11 Moon landing. He immigrated to the United States at 17 and began college at 18. He holds dual B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering, an M.Sc. in Information Management, and a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems.
Rise to Success
Ghaffarian's career includes key positions at Lockheed Martin, Ford Aerospace, and Loral. He founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) in 1994, which became NASA's second-largest engineering services contractor. SGT was later acquired by KBR for $355 million in February 2018. He then founded X-energy in 2009, focusing on advanced nuclear reactors, and co-founded Intuitive Machines in 2013, which successfully landed a robotic lander on the moon in February 2024. In 2016, he co-founded Axiom Space to develop the first commercial space station.
Key Business Strategies
Ghaffarian's success is attributed to his focus on government contracts and technological innovation. He has excelled at securing contracts with the U.S. government and attracting veterans from NASA to join his ventures. His strategy includes building a strong company culture, fostering innovation, and developing partnerships within the space industry.
Philanthropy
Ghaffarian is actively involved in philanthropy, particularly in education and STEM initiatives. He established the Limitless Space Institute in 2019 to support scientific research and engage students in space exploration. He also supports a school in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, through his Emerging Light Foundation.
