Jeff Krukin

Jeff Krukin's fascination with space began during his childhood, spending evenings in the backyard gazing at the Moon and stars. This early interest propelled him into a diverse career in the space industry, including roles as an IBM Systems Engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Executive Director of the Space Frontier Foundation, and NewSpace Business Development. Presently, he serves as the COO of Syntiant, Inc., a startup in the IT and digital communication/media/entertainment sector. Throughout his career, Krukin has been instrumental in advocating for the commercialization of space and has been actively involved in strategic planning efforts for NASA and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Space Commercialization.

As a recognized thought leader in the NewSpace industry, Krukin discusses topics such as commercial space travel, space industry development, and the future of space exploration. His presentations have been well-received, resonating across various international forums. Krukin has spoken across the globe, including in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. His expertise covers a range of topics, from commercial space vehicles and orbiting hotels to the legal aspects of space ownership and the regulation of extraterrestrial commerce.

Krukin is also a prolific writer, with articles and essays published in "Space News," the "Houston Chronicle," the "Raleigh News & Observer," and other notable outlets. His first book of essays, part of the "Tackling Tomorrow Today: Moving Along, Far Ahead" series aimed at high school students, was published in Spring 2005. His work is deeply informed by a Master's Degree in Studies of the Future, which supports his views on space's crucial role for global peace and prosperity. Krukin has been recognized with several awards, including the ProSpace Activist of the Year award in 1998 and the Attachmate Corp. North America Systems Engineer of the Year award in 1999, highlighting his contributions to the space industry and information technology.