Michael Suffredini

Michael T. Suffredini is the President and Co-founder of Axiom Space, a private company that is creating the world’s first international commercial space station. He had recently served as President of the Commercial Space Division at Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. (SGT) since October 2015, a division that focuses on space-related commercial opportunities, utilizing SGT’s spaceflight engineering, operations and hardware development capabilities.  Prior to joining SGT, Suffredini served as NASA’s manager of the International Space Station (ISS) program for 10 years. Here, he was responsible for all aspects of the program including development, launch, assembly, operation, utilization and commercialization of the 460 metric ton Earth orbiting laboratory complex.  The International Space Station, is the largest international peacetime project in human history with a 15 nation team and a combined annual budget of approximately $5B. During his tenure, Suffredini spearheaded the transition of the ISS program from a development and assembly focus to a research and commercial utilization focus, establishing a platform for groundbreaking research and opening avenues for a new commercial marketplace in space. Prior to his role as ISS program manager, Suffredini managed ISS operations, ISS vehicle development, ISS utilization and served as assistant program manager of NASA’s Space Shuttle program.  Suffredini has over thirty years of experience in human spaceflight, the last twenty six years with NASA. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement and the Yuri Gagarin Medal. In addition, he has had both the Rank of Meritorious Executive and Rank of Distinguished Executive conferred upon him by the President of the United States. He holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and is honored as a distinguished graduate at the University College of Engineering.