Founder and Executive Chairman of Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, X-energy and Quantum Space, and Capitol Technology University Alumnus
Dr. Kamal (Kam) S. Ghaffarian is a visionary entrepreneur and engineer with a passion to advance humanity and expand human knowledge. He is a two-time Capitol Technology University alumnus, earning his BS in Electronics Engineering Technology in 1983 and his PhD in Technology in 2022. He was named one of Forbes’ Top 250 America’s Greatest Innovators in 2026, in part for his company Intuitive Machines’ successful landing of an American spacecraft on the moon—the first landing since 1972.
Specializing in aerospace, disruptive technologies, and strategic business leadership, Dr. Ghaffarian has launched multiple industry-leading firms, three of which have achieved unicorn status as privately owned startups that have each surpassed $1 billion in valuation.
Born with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of exploration, Dr. Ghaffarian started his first business, Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), 20 years ago with fellow Capitol Tech alumnus Harold Stinger. SGT quickly grew from their initial vision to providing engineering services to NASA, to a 2500+ organization with more than half a billion in revenue. SGT became the second-largest engineering service provider to NASA.
Dr. Ghaffarian is now the founder and CEO of IBX, an innovation and investment firm. He also serves as the co-founder and Executive Chairman of groundbreaking companies like X-energy, an advanced nuclear energy pioneer; Intuitive Machines, a space exploration and services firm that became the first commercial company to land on the Moon; Axiom Space, which built the first commercial space station; Quantum Space, a pioneer in highly maneuverable satellites; and PTX, a space engineering services and technology firm.
Dr. Ghaffarian’s success supports many philanthropic efforts including the Limitless Space Institute, a nonprofit he created to promote STEM education and research in interstellar space exploration. He also partnered with Capitol Technology University and the International Space University (ISU) in 2025 for an on-campus Executive Space Course, AI in Space. His presentation highlighted the exciting future of his companies’ work and how new graduates are integral to this next wave of progress: “One thing we can do to for the next generation is to inspire them to think beyond our solar system.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Ghaffarian has cultivated technological growth, awareness, and partnerships across the defense, space, energy, and technology sectors, championing sustainable and transformative technologies to benefit our planet and pave the way for future generations on Earth–in space and beyond.