Ruben Nunez

Executive Director

Ruben Nunez

Ruben Nunez is a KÁRMÁN co-founder, an aerospace engineer, and a serial technical entrepreneur with a passion for space. He is also the founder of Earthrise Space, a corporation dedicated to provide recurring lunar payload delivery services and furthermore create technologies for commercial space transportation systems that focus on landing and operating on the lunar surface and other astronomical bodies, through low cost off-the-shelf reliable commercial space products, and support services. The corporations’ Foundation is also dedicated to provide students with hands-on experience building spacecraft and become engaged in technical entrepreneurship programs.

Ruben has experience managing, designing, and implementing projects involving space technologies. He started managing projects of this type during his early years of college through the Florida Space Academy Program, the Steven Hawking Microgravity Education and Research Center, and the Google Lunar XPRIZE. In addition, he has managed and implemented $3M+ science grants targeting inquiry based learning activities while integrating technology with the Florida Department of Education.

In October 2010, Ruben led Earthrise to obtain a $10M Innovative Lunar Demonstrations Data Contract (ILDD) with NASA. The ILDD acquisition involves the delivery of data associated with the design of lunar spacecraft and demonstration of an end-to-end lunar landing mission including: hardware design, development and testing; ground operations and integration; launch, trajectory correction maneuvers, and lunar braking burn; lunar landing; and other enhanced capabilities.

Ruben also has experience obtaining licenses to collaborate with foreign entities via the U.S. Department of State to comply with ITAR & EAR, including patent application processes.

In October 2013, the Rising Star in Technology Congressional Award was presented to Mr. Nunez by Congressman Bill Posey in recognition of the impact, influence, and work that has resulted in significant success and benefit to the regional technology community.