NanoRacks Announces John Benac as New Director of Engineering
NanoRacks is pleased to announce a new Director of Engineering, John Benac. John, working from the NanoRacks Houston office, will lead the growing NanoRacks engineering and fabrication team of currently 20 engineers and technicians to create, fabricate, test and deliver space flight hardware that meets all customer needs. He will chair all company design reviews, implement process improvements necessary for sustained growth, and oversee engineering efforts as the company moves towards its Space Outpost program and Bishop Airlock launch and operations.
John comes to NanoRacks with a wide-breadth of experience across aviation and aerospace platforms. He has seven years of experience at Boeing, working on 737 final assembly, and NASA Glenn and Johnson Space Centers. John operated console for the International Space Station Mission Control and supported International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems through the entire lifecycle during station assembly, shuttle retirement, and commercial cargo commissioning. John also contributed on NASA’s SLS heavy lift rocket and defined ground and launch vehicles interfaces and integration concepts for the NASA funded Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer Demonstration Mission.
After his time at Boeing, John conducted contracts supporting United Launch Alliance development of the Vulcan and Atlas V payload accommodations. He served as a Senior Systems Engineer for Advanced Concepts at Stratolaunch, where he first engaged with NanoRacks supporting NanoRacks’ LEO Commercialization proposal studying repurposing of launch vehicle upper stages as in-space habitats and platforms. While at Stratolaunch, he defined new systems and programs and performed mission analysis for government and commercial customers on the Medium Launch Vehicle.
Prior to joining NanoRacks, John most recently held the position of the Director of Business Development as Bradford Space, Inc. (previously Deep Space Industries), where he defined and developed new applications and purpose for spacecraft originally designed for asteroid mining.
“The legacy of mission success built by NanoRacks’ engineering proves what private companies can accomplish in the demanding applications of in-space payload operations,” says John. “This sustained success has enabled the growth that brings NanoRacks to its next stage: developing modules such as Bishop Airlock and even entire commercial space stations. I’m honored to lead such a talented group of professionals as they lengthen their stride for the benefit of all humankind.”
John holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Brigham Young University, a graduate certificate in Space Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a masters in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California.
“We’re beyond excited to have John on board our team,” says NanoRacks Chief Operating Officer, Stephanie Purgerson. “His leadership will be a huge asset to our team in Houston. He comes with experience that covers nearly every program NanoRacks handles and has shown leadership at every step of the way. We look forward to John taking our engineering team to the next level as we grow our programs from the International Space Station to our own Outposts in space. Welcome, John!”
If you are attending the International Space Station Research and Development conference this week in Atlanta, Georgia – please be sure to stop by the NanoRacks booth in the Marketplace to learn more!
