Jeff Kwong

About Jeff Kwong

Spacecraft and Launch Program/Mission Manager with experience as a Program Manager on LEO & interplanetary small satellites (3U to 600 kg) and as head of mission management for a small launch provider. I\'ve managed two spacecraft programs that flew to the Moon, another two that were delivered into LEO, and launched 26 spacecraft on the LauncherOne vehicle when I lead Mission Management at Virgin Orbit. I possess a diverse background in that I\'ve worked on a wide range of space systems. I’ve worked on small and large launch vehicles, expendable and reusable launch systems, CubeSats and complex human spaceflight vehicles, lunar landers, and human spaceflight architectures. I\'m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and do the detailed analysis, or operate at the foot level managing budgets and schedules. I\'ve worked at small and large companies, and have found that I can flourish in all settings. I\'m relentless in driving technical systems forward, a tireless worker and strive for excellence in everything I do, all fueled by passion for all things space related.Snapshot of my experience:10+ years of experience with launch vehicle analysis and design7+ years of experience with human spaceflight analysis and designProgram Manager of two spacecraft that were flew to the Moon, including the CAPSTONE spacecraft which was awarded the 2022 Small Satellite Mission of the Year by the AIAA. Extensive experience with launch vehicle conceptual design, mission analysis, trajectory design, flight mechanics, astrodynamics, aerodynamics, and systems engineering. Adept at new business capture/proposal development. Well versed in standard engineering tools such as POST, OTIS, MATLAB, AGI’s Systems Tool Kit, TeamCenter, and NX. Extremely proficient at defining technical designs and requirements for launch vehicles, human spaceflight vehicles, and spacecraft. Program experience with human spaceflight vehicles (Dream Chaser and Orion), launch vehicles (LauncherOne, SLS, as well as a number of other advanced concepts) and spacecraft. Well rounded engineer with a rare combination of the following:• Engineering and business development expertise (both professionally and academically, as evident by degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Business)• Detailed and conceptual design• Experience and familiarity with different types of space systems (rockets, human spaceflight vehicles, spacecraft)• Different aerospace disciplines: flight dynamics, aerodynamics, mass properties, systems engineering, mechanical design

Experience

1. Senior Program Manager

   Rocket Lab

   May 2024 — Present · Long Beach, CA, US

Education

• Utah State University

  MS, Mechanical Engineering

  2003 — 2005

• University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business

  MBA, Sustainability

  2007 — 2010

• UCLA

  BS, Aerospace Engineering

  1998 — 2003

• International Space University

  Certificate, Space Systems

  2005 — 2005

Skills

• Aerospace Engineering
• Trade Studies
• Program Management
• Engineering Management
• Space Systems
• Simulations
• Spacecraft
• Requirements Management
• Systems Engineering
• Systems Design
• Engineering
• Aerospace
• Flight Test
• System Design
• Propulsion
• Proposal Writing
• Testing
• Satellite
• Integration