Shashank Kaul
Deep technology entrepreneur and systems architect — Cisco veteran who led large-scale modernization initiatives across U.S. federal agencies. Former Chair, IEEE Computer Society DC NOVA Chapter; member, Forbes Technology Council.
People
The team building the lowest-orbit frontier.
Founders, scientists, engineers, and advisors spanning plasma physics, spacecraft systems, and government space programs.
Founders & leadership
Scientific founders and executives.
JivaJet grew out of plasma propulsion research at the George Washington University Micropropulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory.
Dr. Anmol Taploo
Originating researcher behind JivaJet’s air-breathing plasma propulsion. Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; his HyABPT invention inspired DARPA’s Charge Harmony program.
Dr. Vikas Soni
A materials scientist focused on advanced materials for plasma propulsion and space applications. His work centers on plasma-material interactions, erosion and drag-resistant materials, surface modification, dielectric and electrode materials, and material performance in extreme orbital environments. He uses materials characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, surface profilometry, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, and plasma diagnostics to evaluate and improve materials for compact electric propulsion systems and future satellite missions.
Dr. Michael Keidar
GWU MPNL · Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Electric Propulsion. Holds 30+ patents and leads scientific strategy across JivaJet’s propulsion architectures.
Programs & engineering
Building and flying the hardware.
Space program, strategy, and engineering leadership carrying propulsion from the lab to orbit.
Philip Harlow
Ex-President, Telesat Government Solutions · Ex-MAXAR, NRO, NGA. Leads the transition of JivaJet’s propulsion technologies from research to operational deployment.
Barry Tilton
IEEE USA President (2026) · 35+ years across aerospace systems and geospatial intelligence, with senior roles supporting NRO, NGA, and the U.S. Air Force.
Jake Spinelli
Works hands-on across plasma propulsion hardware for air-breathing and MPD thrusters — mechanical design, materials selection, manufacturing, and vacuum testing.
Bogdan Bunea
Expands JivaJet’s space-division capabilities, including its satellite ground station. Work spans systems design (MBSE), RF systems, and real-time operating systems.
Guru S. Duppada
GWU SRA · contributes to R&D across JivaJet’s air-breathing and metal-propellant electric propulsion platforms.
Advisors
Guidance from propulsion industry leadership.
Dr. Roger Myers
Ex-Aerojet Rocketdyne and L3Harris propulsion leadership.
Dr. Melissa Patton
Founder & CEO, Space Grove Ventures. 20+ years across strategic operations, organizational development, product innovation, startup growth, and change management — a former dean, chief academic officer, tenured faculty member, startup founder, and fractional COO. Guides JivaJet on organizational scaling, business operations, workforce strategy, partnerships, fundraising readiness, and the transition from propulsion development to spacecraft platforms and commercial mission services.
Summer Interns 2026
The next generation, building with us.
Our 2026 summer cohort — working hands-on across propulsion research, engineering, and operations alongside the JivaJet team.
Collaborators
Research and trusted partners.
JivaJet advances its plasma propulsion work alongside leading academic and industry partners.
Join us
We’re hiring.
JivaJet is building the propulsion stack for persistent flight in the lowest orbits. If that’s the problem you want to work on, we’d like to hear from you.
See open roles