Joseph E. Palaia, IV – President & CEO of NewSpace Center, LLC
Joe holds a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a masters degree in Nuclear Science & Engineering from MIT. He has served in engineering and management roles in two comprehensive Mars settlement design efforts. He has co-authored technical papers on the topics of Mars surface nuclear power plant design, Mars settlement architecture, space economics and the economics of energy on Mars. He also served as executive officer and engineer for the Mars Society’s 2009 FMARS expedition and as Commander of the 2013 expedition. Joe received the 2005 Peter Diamandis Leadership Award and the 2007 Nepolitano Award for space industry entrepreneurism. Joe co-founded 4Frontiers and served as VP of Operations and R&D for the company’s initial years of operation. He now serves as President & CEO of NewSpace Center, LLC, spearheading the company’s efforts to fund and develop INTERSPACE.