With a career spanning over three decades at the forefront of the space industry, Rafael stands as a seasoned space entrepreneur and visionary.
Kargren has been an instrumental force in fostering collaboration between international space agencies and private enterprises. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish ventures that have not only pushed the boundaries of space technology but have also paved the way for a new era of public-private partnerships in space exploration.
Over the years, he has been working closely on many space related projects with space agencies around the world including NASA, ESA, JAXA, ISRO, Australian Space Agency and setting up space operations for a number of commercial companies such as RocketLab, OneWeb, SpaceX and Maxar.
Currently he is heading Oceania and Pacific Region at Maxar Technologies and is a visiting Professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU.
Rafael has been also playing critical role in developing and shaping space strategy in countries as Sweden, Luxemburg, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and New Zealand. He was one of the main drivers and contributors in development of Australian space strategy and founded Aerospace New Zealand.
Over the years, he contributed significantly to the development and execution of programs that pushed the boundaries of human understanding and technological capabilities.
One of Kargren’s standout accomplishments is his role in establishing extreme environment training centres for the European Space Agency. Recognizing the importance of preparing astronauts for the rigors of space travel, he played a pivotal part in setting up training facilities in Arctic regions, Antarctica, Svalbard and the Atacama Desert. These centres became crucibles for honing the skills and resilience of space explorers, exposing them to conditions mirroring those they might encounter in the far reaches of the cosmos.
Kargren’s leadership and innovative approach to space training garnered international acclaim, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. As a seasoned space entrepreneur, Rafael Kargren continues to inspire and lead, advocating for a future where humanity’s reach extends far beyond our home planet. With a legacy forged in the crucible of extreme environments and a vision reaching for the stars, Kargren remains a guiding light in the pursuit of the final frontier.