Christopher S. Jannette
Christopher S. Jannette is President and CEO of BlackStar Orbital and a systems engineer, entrepreneur, and defense technology expert with over 18 years of experience in aerospace engineering, spacecraft servicing, and launch operations.
As Cofounder and CEO of BlackStar Orbital, he has been pivotal in bringing a new standard of modular, reusable satellite platforms to the aerospace industry. Based in Titusville, Florida, he leads the company's mission to revolutionize satellite technology through reusable spacecraft that return to Earth like spaceplanes, with plans for a $7.1 million spacecraft manufacturing and test facility at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport.
The facility, earmarked for operation by 2026, spans 45,000 square feet with 25,000 square feet dedicated solely to hangar space, with initial production capacity projected at 15 spacecraft per year, scaling up to full production by 2026. BlackStar Orbital is planning to create 50 jobs, paying an average salary of more than $100,000 per position. Read BlackStar Signs LOI With the City of Sierra Vista, BlackStar Orbital signs letter of intent with City of Sierra Vista for operations at airport, BlackStar Orbital signs letter of intent with City, and watch Blackstar Orbital lands spacecraft facility at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport.
In November 2024, BlackStar Orbital was selected by SpaceWERX for a SBIR Phase I award of $75,000 focused on studying the tactical applications and economic impacts of its proprietary high-performance smallsat class spaceplane platform. The company is partnering with Leviathan Space Industries LLC of Ecuador to construct cutting-edge infrastructure supporting Ecuador's first private spaceport. Chris has been featured as a speaker at numerous conferences including the Arizona Space Summit, the International Space Development Conference, and Red Planet Live. Read BlackStar Orbital Announces Spacecraft Manufacturing And Test Facility In Sierra Vista.
His recent achievements include securing a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR win with a $1.8 million contract from SpaceWERX and developing SpaceBox, a consumer space payload service. Read SpaceWERX awards 124 Orbital Prime contracts and The Future of Space Is Reusable, Fast, And Built To Last.
At SpaceX, Chris played pivotal roles in critical missions, including the Falcon Heavy Demo-1 and the Starship program, where he contributed to the development of thermal protection systems. His experience includes work on thermal protection systems for Starship and leading the hypergolic propellants team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
During his tenure at NASA KPLSS II as Lead Engineer for Hypergolic Propellants and Operations, he worked on programs supporting CRS, Crew Dragon, Axiom, Artemis 1, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic missions. Watch Reimagining Spaceflight: BlackStar Orbital CEO CJ Jannette.
Prior to founding BlackStar, CJ played a pivotal role in key aerospace programs, contributing to missions such as Falcon Heavy Demo-1, Artemis 1, SpaceX Dragon for Crew and CRS missions, Axiom, Inspiration4, lunar landers such as Astrobotic Peregrine, and Intuitive Machines IM-1. His experience with SpaceX, NASA KPLSS II, United Frontiers, and Ripple Aerospace included work on thermal protection systems for Starship and the first open water orientation of a launch vehicle without a launch pad since the cold war.
Between 2018 and 2021, he served as Chief Engineer at United Frontiers, where he designed high-performance hypersonic sounding rockets for microgravity research.
From 2012 to 2016, Chris was the Founder and Principal Researcher at TRED Laboratories (The Regenerative Ecosystem Design Lab), focusing on bioregenerative life support systems and advanced agricultural solutions. The research firm focused on biotechnology and agriculture for human habitation in non-native environments, working on a 40-acre facility called The Space Ranch outside Washington D.C.He developed modular aeroponic gardens, Martian arcologies, and advanced integrated agriculture and aquaculture systems. Listen to Space Exploration and Mars Colonization with Christopher Jannette.
Chris served in the United States Air Force from 2006 to 2012 as an Integrated Avionics Specialist. While serving as a Staff Sergeant in Tokyo, Japan, he was awarded the humanitarian medal for his participation in the contingency operations following the 2011 earthquake. He has received multiple commendations, including the USAF Meritorious Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism medals, and the Humanitarian Service Medal for his contributions to the Fukushima disaster response in 2011.
During his service, he supported KC-10 operations in Northern California and deployed to the UAE to support Global War on Terrorism operations. Watch The Next Frontier: How Black Star Orbital is Leading Space Exploration.
Chris earned his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Applied Science from Arizona State University in 2015, where he studied systems engineering, project management, enterprise management, operations research, space systems, astrobiology, and programming. He attended The George Washington University between 2013 and 2014, studying Integrated Information Science and Technology and Project Management, where he was inducted into the Golden Key International Honors Society. He earned his Associate Degree in Avionic Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force between 2006 and 2008, receiving the Pitsenbarger Award for Academic Excellence.
As founder and head of the Mars Society's Orlando/Space Coast (FL) Chapter, Chris brings deep passion and technical insight to the mission of sustainable spaceflight and Mars exploration.
Outside of BlackStar, Chris is an independent consultant for VC firms and maintains console certifications as consultant with United Paradyne Corporation where he continues to contribute to spaceflight launch operations. His vision for BlackStar Orbital includes developing spacecraft that can serve diverse applications from defense and communications to Earth observation and scientific research, with the ultimate goal of creating a circular space economy. Chris resides in Titusville, Florida, near Kennedy Space Center, where BlackStar Orbital maintains operations near launch pads 39A and 39B.
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