Steve Altemus

Steve Altemus is a distinguished figure in the aerospace industry, renowned for his leadership and engineering excellence. As the co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer at Intuitive Machines, he has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have reshaped the economics of lunar exploration. Under his leadership, Intuitive Machines has achieved remarkable milestones, including the successful landing of the company’s lunar lander, Odysseus, on the moon. This marked the United States’ first lunar landing in over 50 years and the first commercial-sector company and NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative vendor to land and transmit scientific data from the surface of the moon.

Altemus is also a director of Intuitive Aviation, a subsidiary of Intuitive Machines.

Before founding Intuitive Machines, Altemus was appointed to serve as the Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a position he held until June 2013. Formerly Director of Engineering from July 2006 to December 2012, he served as the leader and steward of Johnson Space Center’s engineering capabilities in support of NASA’s human spaceflight programs, projects, and technology activities. He actively led an organization of 2,800 employees through the conceptualization, design, development, testing, and evaluation of aerospace systems for use in human, robotic, and automated space flight for low earth orbit and deep space missions.

Altemus is a visionary and accomplished leader with a tremendous ability to formulate and execute insightful strategic initiatives, sound organizational strategies, and technical solutions that drive excellence. He has been presented with the Federal Engineer of the Year award from the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Johnson Space Center’s Engineering Legacy Award.

Altemus received his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he serves as a member on the Engineering Advisory Board, and his MS in engineering management from the University of Central Florida.