From Dreamer to SGAC Alumni Award Winner: Meet Astroscale U.S. Sr. Director of Engineering Jeff Schloemer
At Astroscale U.S., we’re proud to work alongside talented people who are not only experts in their field but are also inspired to positively impact the future of space. One standout is Jeff Schloemer, our Senior Director of Engineering. With over a decade of aerospace experience, a patent under his belt, and publications to his name, Jeff was recently honored with the prestigious SGAC Alumni Award. This recognition from the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) — a global network empowering young professionals in space — celebrates his outstanding leadership and unwavering support of SGAC’s mission.
We sat down with Jeff to share his journey into aerospace, advice for students and aspiring aerospace professionals, and more.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the aerospace industry
Throughout my childhood, my parents encouraged my curiosity about space. I was lucky enough to visit places like Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where I witnessed the first modules of the International Space Station being built. A defining moment came while visiting Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center: a Space Shuttle night launch, which lit up the sky and left me dreaming of becoming an astronaut or pilot. But after learning in high school that my height would be a barrier, I set my sights on becoming an aerospace engineer. If I couldn’t pilot a spacecraft, I thought, I could at least design them.
How did your journey lead you to Astroscale U.S., and what attracted you to the company?
The COVID lockdowns forced me to reckon with my career trajectory and what I wanted my life to end up looking like. This reflection sparked my interest in attending the Space Generation Fusion Forum, a networking and professional development event for students and young professionals under the age of 35. The impact of this forum was profound, and I felt compelled to apply, and attend, again the following year.
This is where I met my initial contact at Astroscale, Luc Riesbeck, and connected with other future employees and movers in space sustainability, like Kristin Shahady. Luc presented the compelling case for in-space servicing, and we had several passionate discussions, and even arguments, that left a positive impression. When I saw Kristin join Astroscale U.S., I was further persuaded to give the company a closer look.
Beyond the compelling case for in-space servicing, Astroscale U.S.’s mission to fundamentally transform the space industry and its architecture resonated deeply with me. When an opportunity arose to lead engineering here, I just knew I had to pursue it.
At Astroscale U.S., we’re proud to work alongside talented people who are not only experts in their field but are also inspired to positively impact the future of space. One standout is Jeff Schloemer, our Senior Director of Engineering. With over a decade of aerospace experience, a patent under his belt, and publications to his name, Jeff was recently honored with the prestigious SGAC Alumni Award. This recognition from the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) — a global network empowering young professionals in space — celebrates his outstanding leadership and unwavering support of SGAC’s mission.
We sat down with Jeff to share his journey into aerospace, advice for students and aspiring aerospace professionals, and more.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the aerospace industry?
Throughout my childhood, my parents encouraged my curiosity about space. I was lucky enough to visit places like Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where I witnessed the first modules of the International Space Station being built. A defining moment came while visiting Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center: a Space Shuttle night launch, which lit up the sky and left me dreaming of becoming an astronaut or pilot. But after learning in high school that my height would be a barrier, I set my sights on becoming an aerospace engineer. If I couldn’t pilot a spacecraft, I thought, I could at least design them.
‘The idea of satellites servicing other satellites is radical, and we’ll need future leaders to expand this legacy.’
How did your journey lead you to Astroscale U.S., and what attracted you to the company?
Unordered List
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two
Ordered list
one
two
Test three | Test Table one | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
engineer | test | test | test |
engineer | test | test | test |
test | engineer | test | test |
The COVID lockdowns forced me to reckon with my career trajectory and what I wanted my life to end up looking like. This reflection sparked my interest in attending the Space Generation Fusion Forum, a networking and professional development event for students and young professionals under the age of 35. The impact of this forum was profound, and I felt compelled to apply, and attend, again the following year
Test three | Test Table one | 2 | 3 |
engineer | test | test | test |
engineer | test | test | test |
test | engineer | test | test |
This is where I met my initial contact at Astroscale, Luc Riesbeck, and connected with other future employees and movers in space sustainability, like Kristin Shahady. Luc presented the compelling case for in-space servicing, and we had several passionate discussions, and even arguments, that left a positive impression. When I saw Kristin join Astroscale U.S., I was further persuaded to give the company a closer look.
Beyond the compelling case for in-space servicing, Astroscale U.S.’s mission to fundamentally transform the space industry and its architecture resonated deeply with me. When an opportunity arose to lead engineering here, I just knew I had to pursue it.
