Billionaire space entrepreneur and Limitless Space Institute founder joins mission to launch the first interstellar mission to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, by the end of 2029

The Fermi Explorer Mission announced today that space entrepreneur Dr. Kam Ghaffarian has joined the organization as a co-founder. Dr. Ghaffarian will help lead the ambitious initiative to launch humanity’s first spacecraft to another star system by the end of 2029.

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Fermi Explorer Co-Founder: Kam Ghaffarian

Fermi Explorer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is a minimum-viable interstellar flight: a small spacecraft with at least a one-kilogram payload, launched for less than $15 million using existing solar-electric propulsion, on a trajectory that will travel more than 99 percent of the distance to Alpha Centauri within 80,000 years.

A Visionary in Space Exploration

Born in Isfahan, Iran, Ghaffarian watched the Apollo 11 landing as an 11-year-old and later immigrated to the United States at 17 to study engineering. He built Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) into NASA’s second-largest engineering services provider before its acquisition by KBR. He went on to co-found a cluster of companies that now sit at the center of commercial space and advanced energy:

Axiom Space, a multi-billion-dollar company developing the first commercial space station;

Intuitive Machines, a listed multi-billion-dollar company which in 2024 achieved the first U.S. lunar landing since Apollo;

Quantum Space, building infrastructure in cislunar space; and

X-energy, developing advanced nuclear reactors, including systems relevant to future high-power space propulsion.

That record — flying hardware, winning NASA work, and taking companies from founding through public markets and first-of-kind missions — is what Fermi Explorer needs as it moves from feasibility study to a 2029 launch.

Dr. Ghaffarian is also well-known for his philanthropic efforts in space exploration, most notably as the founder of the Limitless Space Institute (LSI). Through LSI, Dr. Ghaffarian has actively supported research and development into advanced power and propulsion concepts necessary to enable interstellar human exploration. His work with LSI aligns perfectly with the goals of the Fermi Explorer Mission, demonstrating a consistent dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space travel.

Leadership Commentary

“I have always believed that humanity's destiny lies among the stars, and the Fermi Explorer Mission is the crucial first step in realizing that destiny,” said Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Co-Founder of the Fermi Explorer Mission. “By committing to launching a spacecraft to Alpha Centauri by 2029, we are not just pushing the boundaries of current technology; we are inspiring a new generation to look up and dream of interstellar exploration. I am thrilled to join this team and help turn this ambitious vision into a reality.”

Philip Johnston, Co-Founder & CEO of The Fermi Explorer Mission, echoed this enthusiasm: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Kam join as co-founder of the Fermi Explorer mission. Kam brings a unique combination of practical space mission execution experience, with a deep passion for interstellar space travel.”

Mission Objectives

The Fermi Explorer Mission is dedicated to sending the spacecraft to the Alpha Centauri star system. This historic mission aims to achieve several key objectives:

• Technological Demonstration: Prove the viability of existing and near-term technologies for interstellar travel and gather unprecedented data on low-cost interstellar propulsion systems
• Global Inspiration: Unite humanity behind a shared goal of exploring the cosmos beyond our solar system
• Trigger Discussion: The mission is intended to make the idea of interstellar travel real, and to encourage more people to confront one of humanity’s biggest unanswered questions when we look beyond our planet: "Where is everybody?" (the Fermi Paradox)

To learn more about the mission, contribute to its success, and follow its progress, please visit fermiexplorer.org.

About The Fermi Explorer Mission

The Fermi Explorer Mission is a Redmond, WA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that will launch humanity’s first spacecraft to another star before the end of 2029.

About Dr. Kam Ghaffarian

Dr. Kam Ghaffarian is an Iranian-born American entrepreneur, engineer, and philanthropist. He is founder and CEO of IBX and co-founder and executive chairman of Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, X-energy, and Quantum Space. He previously co-founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, which became NASA’s second-largest engineering services provider. In 2019, he established the Limitless Space Institute to inspire, educate, and research the path to interstellar human exploration. He holds bachelor’s degrees in computer science and electronics engineering, a master’s in information management, and a Ph.D. in management information systems.

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“I have always believed that humanity's destiny lies among the stars, and the Fermi Explorer Mission is the crucial first step in realizing that destiny" - Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Co-Founder of the Fermi Explorer Mission