About Sergio:
Sergio Gallucci lives at the interface between technology and strategy: he has led space programs from concept to orbit by developing controls, electric propulsion, remote sensing, mechanical, power, and communications systems for space.
He has demonstrated technical expertise in varied areas, including: architecting in-space autonomy systems; developing instruments for space environment characterization; building and ruggedizing remote sensing and RF/MW payloads from earth to GEO; integrating modeling, simulation, and design processes for rapid space portfolio maturation; developing propulsion systems; and conducting remote sensing studies using in situ, Lidar, electro-optical, and RF occultation techniques.
Sergio previously built SCOUT Space as co-founder and CTO by leading technical and product strategy as well as business capture, and has worked across start-ups, academia, and government teams in space for over 10 years. He conducted his graduate work at the Pennsylvania State University and undergraduate work at Clarkson University.
Sergio was listed as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science 2024, and one of the Forbes Next 1,000 “Upstart Entrepreneurs who are Redefining the American Dream” in 2021. He was recognized as a Payload Pioneer by a panel of space segment leaders for his efforts in trailblazing a path to the future of the industry in 2023.
Sergio has been recognized as a leading entrepreneur and scientist by various groups. Click here for accolades and affiliations.
History:
Sergio grew up in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, in Northeast Brasil. In 2005 he emigrated to the United States, and rapidly grew to love American philosophies. He was drawn to the sciences by a philosophical interest making a tangible impact to better the world around me. In 2012 he became involved in the space industry, and had his first system in orbit mission by the time he was 20, in 2015. In 2016 he was a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). By his early 20s he was already leading research teams and overseeing experienced engineers and scientists within challenging and novel program areas.
His first spaceflight project in 2015 flew ten years after he was challenged by local school staff in NYC about his ability to keep up in non-ESL classes. Sergio has been shaped by both success, failure, support, and adversity; he uses a breadth of experience and systems thinking to provide well-rounded perspectives on multifarious challenges.
Sergio was the co-founder and CTO of start-up SCOUT Space, which provides perception and autonomy to satellites, and serves as a Strategic Technical Advisor to the company. He supports the International Academy of Astronautics’ Committee on Space Traffic Management, and has served as an advisor to start-ups and teams across academia and government.