{"id":46661,"date":"2026-07-28T01:11:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T17:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/via-satellite-rising-stars-of-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T01:11:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T17:11:44","slug":"via-satellite-rising-stars-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/via-satellite-rising-stars-of-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Via Satellite Rising Stars of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">Back for the third year, <i>Via Satellite<\/i> recognizes a new class of 25 Rising Stars \u2014 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 \u2014 whether that\u2019s in engineering, policy and regulation, business development, and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The 2026 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.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_Cover-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_Cover-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_Cover-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_Cover-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VS_080126_DGTL_Cover.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the August 2026 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442519\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rana-Alshaeri-300x253.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rana-Alshaeri-300x253.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rana-Alshaeri-800x674.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rana-Alshaeri-1536x1294.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rana-Alshaeri.jpg 1909w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Rana Alshaeri, Senior Legal and Policy Advisor, Neo Space Group, 29<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Rana Alshaeri is one to watch in Saudi Arabia. Alshaeri is one of the first Saudi women with a dedicated background in space policy, and brings a combination of legal, regulatory, policy, and strategic expertise to the sector.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">As well as her role as a senior legal and policy advisor at Neo Space Group (NSG), Alshaeri is an advocate of women in digitalization, technology, and space. Alshaeri has been in the space industry for around five years, and was the first and only candidate accepted into the space policy track under a highly selective Saudi Space Agency scholarship program and also represented Saudi Arabia in the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program alongside delegates from 13 Arab countries. Alshaeri reflects a new generation of Saudi professionals helping shape the future of the space sector.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-442520 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ankita-Baliarsingh_03-119-300x268.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ankita-Baliarsingh_03-119-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ankita-Baliarsingh_03-119-800x715.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ankita-Baliarsingh_03-119.jpg 1099w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Ankita Baliarsingh, Senior Product Manager, Iridium, 34<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">As a senior product manager for Iridium, Ankita Baliarsingh specializes in understanding customer behavior and building products that solve real problems. Over the past year, she led the development and release of Iridium Chat, the companion messaging experience for the Iridium GO! exec device, a product that was honored with the Mobile Satellite Users Association Land Mobility Innovation Award.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd333ccd;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd333ccd = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd333cce').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd333cce'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Baliarsingh\u2019s manager, Omar Azad, director of Product Management at Iridium, says that she has the strength as a product leader to identify value, build innovative solutions, and drive initiatives to completion. \u201cShe can run design reviews with engineers, gate reviews with executives, and escalation calls with partners \u2014 and be trusted in all three \u2014 because she pairs genuine technical depth from her telecom and network engineering background with strong business judgment and a gift for turning complex technical, regulatory, and operational topics into clear decision points.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-442435 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Barlow-Renee-293x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"293\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Barlow-Renee-293x300.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Barlow-Renee-782x800.jpeg 782w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Barlow-Renee.jpeg 1141w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px\"><b>Renee (Frohnert) Barlow, Senior Director, Space &amp; Launch, Karman Space &amp; Defense, 32<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">As senior director of Space &amp; Launch at Karman Space &amp; Defense, Renee Barlow leads space growth strategy with a more than $100 million portfolio. Barlow has strong business development experience in the space across Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and Terran Orbital corporation. During the Artemis program, Barlow helped bridge the gap between a technical industry and the public, speaking about Karman\u2019s role in supporting the Artemis program on local media and The Weather Channel. She is also a graduate of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences Scientist-Astronaut Program. Industry colleague Megan Bennett calls Barlow a \u201cstrategic powerhouse.\u201d \u201cShe is kind, caring and crafts thoughtful teams wherever she goes. Her business prowess is also unmatched. She conducts outreach regularly and always speaks highly, even of her competitors to ensure the space industry becomes healthier overall,\u201d Bennett says. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442436\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bhatia-Rachit-scaled-e1785095764322-300x288.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bhatia-Rachit-scaled-e1785095764322-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bhatia-Rachit-scaled-e1785095764322-800x769.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bhatia-Rachit-scaled-e1785095764322-1536x1476.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bhatia-Rachit-scaled-e1785095764322-2048x1968.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Dr. Rachit Bhatia, Principal GNC Engineer I, CesiumAstro, 33<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Dr. Rachit Bhatia, principal engineer GNC engineer for CesiumAstro, will be one of the people that shapes how the space industry handles collision risk and space debris over the next decades, says industry colleague Umanga Balasuriya of Millennial Software. Over the past year, Bhatia developed a new framework for orbit propagation and estimation that changes how to propagate and estimate a satellite\u2019s orbit with atmospheric drag. Industry colleagues say it provides a more trustworthy estimate of where a satellite is. Bhatia has expertise in estimation theory, spacecraft GNC, communications, and the policy side of space safety. \u201cI meet a lot of brilliant researchers whose work never leaves the page. Rachit is the other kind, the kind who builds things people can actually use, and that is the trait I bet on,\u201d says mentor Srikanth Kodeboyina, CEO of Blue Eye Soft Corp.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442437\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Blair-Reilly-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Blair-Reilly-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Blair-Reilly-798x800.jpg 798w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Blair-Reilly-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Blair-Reilly.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Reilly Blair, Manager \u2013 Space Systems, Deloitte, 31<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Reilly Blair has led Deloitte\u2019s space operations team where over the past 12 months he has led the on-orbit deployment and operations of Silent Shield, a cyber defense payload for satellites, operating aboard Deloitte-1. Under his leadership, the Deloitte team successfully employed a cyber intrusion detection system on-orbit as well as launched over 24 cyber attacks against its satellite to evaluate the ability of Silent Shield to detect and respond to real cyber attacks against an operational satellite. Blair\u2019s work is advancing the cyber resiliency of space-based systems for a safer space enterprise. Deloitte Principal Ryan Roberts says Blair brings a unique combination of technical know-how, innovative thinking, people skills, and a team-first attitude that has made him a star in Deloitte\u2019s efforts here.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442523\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DAmico-Gabrielle-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DAmico-Gabrielle-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DAmico-Gabrielle-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DAmico-Gabrielle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DAmico-Gabrielle.jpg 1043w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Gabrielle D\u2019Amico, Army Sales Manager, Lite Coms, 29<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">As U.S. Army sales manager for VSAT designer and manufacturer Lite Coms, Gabrielle D\u2019Amico fields satellite terminals to multiple divisions in the U.S. Army. Her work has taken her across the U.S. and Korea, directly supporting Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E) units by demonstrating and providing training on satellite terminals. Over four years at Lite Coms, D\u2019Amico previously ran supply chain and helped the company navigate through one of the most challenging supply chain environments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Lite Coms President and CEO Bob Jacobson says the relationships D\u2019Amico cultivates with suppliers and customers are key to her success. \u201cShe takes on all tasks, helps in every way possible and has the highest energy level.&nbsp; She follows through on every detail and follows up on every action item,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442524\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Andrew-Ermitano-Headshot-1-295x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Andrew-Ermitano-Headshot-1-295x300.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Andrew-Ermitano-Headshot-1-786x800.jpg 786w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Andrew-Ermitano-Headshot-1.jpg 1075w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px\"><b>Maj. Andrew N. Ermitano, SpaceWERX Ventures Deputy, 31<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Over the last 12 months, Maj. Andrew N. Ermitano has led a holistic revamp of the SpaceWERX SBIR contract award process, including everything from funds management, company evaluations, and U.S. Space Force mission alignment. SpaceWERX Deputy Director Lt. Col. Vinny Pande says that Ermitano\u2019s innovations in how small businesses in the space community align with demand signals and SBIR funding has resulted in a program that has created six companies worth over $1 billion, and many more that have had other levels of success serving the mission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Ermitano, who has been in the industry around six years, is complimented for his ability to piece together knowledge across finance, contracting, program management, innovation, tech scouting, private capital, and multiple other verticals to create unique acquisition and capital pathways for space startups. Commercial Space Office Director Col. Tim Trimailo calls Ermitano \u201ca future senior leader for the U.S. Space Force.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Flippin-Sydney_Headshot-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Flippin-Sydney_Headshot-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Flippin-Sydney_Headshot-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Flippin-Sydney_Headshot-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Flippin-Sydney_Headshot.png 1254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Sydney Flippin, Embedded Software Engineer, Comtech, 25<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Sydney Flippin, embedded software engineer, is one of the bright talents at Comtech. In the last year, she helped take Comtech\u2019s latest generation modems from Geostationary Orbit (GEO)-only heritage to true multi-orbit capability. Working closely with the company\u2019s senior modem engineers, she supported five total certifications with a leading Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) network. As the primary owner of Comtech\u2019s network management system (NMS) orchestrator, she made complex certification and operational workflows repeatable, observable, and dependable. Flippin has also modernized user experience of Comtech\u2019s DCG 7000 multi-orbit satellite modem, making status and controls easier for operators, then demonstrated multi orbit capability live during SATShow Week. \u201cShe connects backend orchestration, modem integration, and operator experience without losing sight of the mission, then brings the right people into the room and gets them moving in the same direction,\u201d says Jason McCollum, vice president of Software &amp; Security for Comtech.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd3343fe;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd3343fe = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd3343ff').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd3343ff'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442525\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Eleonore-Fontanges-300x282.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Eleonore-Fontanges-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Eleonore-Fontanges-800x751.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Eleonore-Fontanges-1536x1442.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Eleonore-Fontanges-2048x1923.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>El\u00e9onore Fontanges, Head of Assembly, Integration, Testing (AIT), Swissto12, 34<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">In less than three years at Swissto12, El\u00e9onore Fontanges is credited with building up the industrial capabilities and associated assembly, integration and testing (AIT) infrastructure required to deliver the company\u2019s small-GEO spacecraft to customers. Fontanges has commissioned a dedicated infrastructure including a 1000 square meter ISO8 cleanroom and developed the industrial partnerships required to turn an ambitious project like HummingSat into reality. Vice President of Industrialization and Production Gregory Carrier says, \u201cbuilding up the entire industrial capacity for delivering GEO satellites from zero is no small feat, all while hiring a competent team in parallel \u2013 in a country with a very limited aerospace sector.\u201d She is playing a key role in of the success of one of the industry\u2019s most talked about companies.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442526\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Griggs-Headshot-300x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Griggs-Headshot-300x281.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Griggs-Headshot-800x751.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Griggs-Headshot.jpg 1167w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Ben Griggs, Mission Concept Engineer, Open Cosmos, 23<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Ben Griggs is a mission concept engineer already making a name for himself at Open Cosmos at only 23 years old. Griggs was recently selected to lead the mission concept engineering function for APAC, becoming the point of contact for opportunities in this key region. Griggs development has been impressive. He has progressed from a graduate engineer just two years ago to a trusted commercial-technical contributor within Open Cosmos.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">As a Mission Concept Engineer, Griggs works between Open Cosmos\u2019 technical delivery teams and business development colleagues, which requires the ability to understand a customer\u2019s ambition, interrogate the technical requirements, assess current capabilities, identify additional development, and package it into a proposal. \u201cHe is strong at listening, asking the right questions and working with colleagues across different teams, geographies and technical disciplines,\u201d says Griggs\u2019 manager Bartomeu Massuti Ballester.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-800x798.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-1536x1532.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Herrscher-JT-scaled-e1785096376808-2048x2043.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>J.T. Herrscher, Guidance, Navigation, &amp; Control Hardware Engineer, Muon Space, 26<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">After starting at Muon Space as an intern, and just two years into his professional career, J.T. Herrscher is credited with being the sole person responsible for the attitude control hardware that flies on Muon Space\u2019s satellites, including reaction wheels, star trackers, torque rods, and gyros. He delivered flight-qualified hardware for nine satellites and owns the full lifecycle of these components, which includes sizing analysis and vendor management to acceptance testing and on-orbit support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Herrscher is known to go the extra mile. \u201cDuring demanding campaigns he is the first to step up, volunteering for overnight thermal vacuum chamber and launch support shifts and flying to a vendor on short notice to resolve a hardware issue threatening the program schedule,\u201d Muon Space CEO Jonathan Dyer says. Herrscher\u2019s influence at Muon Space spans engineering, supplier relationships, and business development, and he takes a deep investment in the success of those around him.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442442\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Gjerstad-Hogden-Mathias-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Gjerstad-Hogden-Mathias-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Gjerstad-Hogden-Mathias-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Gjerstad-Hogden-Mathias.jpeg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Mathias Gjerstad H\u00f8gden, ASBM Senior Engineer, Space Norway, 29<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Mathias H\u00f8gden is an engineer on the rise at Space Norway. He started his career as a flight dynamics engineer six years ago at the company and has now advanced to the role of senior engineer within the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) project, which launched just under two years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Here, H\u00f8gden played a key role in the buildup and planning of a new operations center where he is now a senior engineer. He leads the flight dynamics group, trains new personnel, and helps ensure that operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. H\u00f8gden and his team have also developed valuable internal digital tools and technologies that have significantly improved operational efficiency. Tinna Gunnarsdottir, ASBM satellite operations manager, says he has a combination of technical excellence and genuine commitment to others, and is a mentor to the team.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442527\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25-277x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"277\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25-277x300.jpg 277w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25-739x800.jpg 739w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25-1419x1536.jpg 1419w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25-1892x2048.jpg 1892w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dhruv_Jain_headshot_Dec25.jpg 1942w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 277px) 100vw, 277px\"><b>Dhruv Jain, Astrodynamics Engineer, Kayhan Space Corp, 26<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Dhruv Jain combines an expertise in astrodynamics with an understanding of business priorities that allows him to move between technical and operational work. Over the last year, Jain led Kayhan Space\u2019s work as a data curation provider supporting Joint Commercial Operations (JCO), a U.S. Space Force-led effort that brings together commercial capabilities with allied cooperation to strengthen space domain awareness. On the business side, he has also been instrumental in Kayhan\u2019s expansion into India, with responsibilities spanning contracts, legal coordination, hiring, and training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Kayhan Space CEO Siamak Hesar says that Jain is an exceptionally dependable teammate who brings maturity, practicality, and calm to demanding situations. \u201cHe understands how research can inform operations, how operations can sharpen products, and how business growth can expand our ability to serve customers and advance safer spaceflight,\u201d Hesar says.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd334ab2;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a69ffd334ab2 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd334ab3').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a69ffd334ab3'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442446\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kim-Taeyeoun-e1785096465410-251x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kim-Taeyeoun-e1785096465410-251x300.jpg 251w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kim-Taeyeoun-e1785096465410.jpg 354w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\"><b>Taeyeoun Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Myongji University, 29 <\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Dr. Taeyeoun Kim\u2019s work is focused on the gap between commercial telecom deployment and next-generation academic research in non-terrestrial networks (NTN). After working as a specialist researcher at a major Korean telecommunications operator LG Uplus, Kim transitioned to academia to establish a research agenda centered on AI-native satellite networks. Last year, Kim co-authored and drove the adoption of a critical use case 3GPP Technical Report dealing with seamless network coordination and roaming between satellite constellations and terrestrial operators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">Yonghwa Lee of Hanwha Systems, a senior doctoral alumnus from the same satellite laboratory as Kim, says he has a unique trajectory and technical vision that will help shape satellite in the 6G ecosystem. \u201cHe excels at translating complex terrestrial paradigms\u2014such as network slicing, edge computing orchestration, and intelligent routing\u2014into viable, space-qualified software solutions,\u201d Lee says.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442447\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kosvick-Steven-e1785096487308-300x278.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kosvick-Steven-e1785096487308-300x278.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kosvick-Steven-e1785096487308.jpg 516w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Steven Kosvick, Constellation Architect, Iceye US, 30 <\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">As a constellation architect for Iceye US, Steven Kosvick is credited with designing and helping to implement a constellation plan that expanded the company\u2019s 24-hour ground track repeat (GTR) coverage to nearly 80 percent of the globe in under one year. His contributions improved change-detection analytics capabilities, directly advancing the availability of reliable, analytics ready Earth Observation data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">As an astrodynamics engineer, Kosvick is able to connect operational, technical, and customer considerations and turn them into executable orbit plans. \u201cHe pairs rigorous orbital mechanics with practical systems thinking, translating complex maintenance requirements into operational acquisition plans that perform reliably at fleet scale. This combination of astrodynamics depth, constellation-scale systems thinking, and disciplined execution distinguishes him from his peers,\u201d says Kosvick\u2019s former manager, Leola Moss.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-442528\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Benjamin-Kron-300x285.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Benjamin-Kron-300x285.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Benjamin-Kron-800x761.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Benjamin-Kron.jpg 1110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><b>Benjamin Kron, Senior Manager, Cyber, Space and National Security Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 28 <\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p6\">Over roughly seven years in the space industry, Benjamin Kron has worked across York Space Systems, supported the Federal Aviation Administration while at SAIC, and now drives space and satellite policy advocacy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the SmallSat Alliance. He moves the needle by bringing people together and shaping discussions, and is credited with co-leading the Miami Space Summit, which brought together government, industry, and private capital for policy discussions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p7\">He\u2019s described as a \u201cforce multiplier\u201d by John Neal, who serves as vice president of Space Policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and SmallSat Alliance Chairman Charles Beames says he\u2019s one of the most effective policy operators. \u201cBen makes the people around him better. He surfaces the implications of a regulatory filing or a memo before anyone else has processed it. He\u2019s the kind of teammate who makes the whole organization look sharper and does it without needing the credit,\u201d Beames says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back for the third year, Via Satellite recognizes a new class of 25 Rising Stars \u2014 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 \u2014 whether that\u2019s in engineering, policy and regulation, business development, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46662,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46661"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}