Chris Kemp

Christopher Van Arsdale is a prominent figure in the tech industry, known for his roles as Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Astra. With a background in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics from the University of Washington, he has a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Prior to founding Astra, Christopher established multiple tech start-ups and made significant contributions as the Chief Technology Officer of NASA. During his time at NASA, he revolutionized the space program with innovative technologies and initiated the game-changing OpenStack project, one of the most significant open-source initiatives to date. Additionally, he played a key role in shaping the cloud strategy for the United States while collaborating with the White House.

His achievements have not gone unnoticed, as he has been featured in prestigious lists such as Silicon Valley Business Journal's "40 under 40" and CNBC's Disruptor 50. He also received the esteemed 'Federal 100' award for his exceptional service at NASA.

Apart from his executive roles, Christopher has been actively involved in academia as a Guest Lecturer at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He has also lent his expertise as an Advisor to respected organizations like Ripcord and Planet Labs.

His varied professional journey includes positions like Co-Founder at OpenStack, Entrepreneur in Residence at Innovation Endeavors, and Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Nebula. Prior to his time at Astra, he held leadership positions at NASA, serving as CTO, Chief Information Officer, and Director of Business Development.

Christopher Van Arsdale's visionary leadership and extensive experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation have made him a highly influential figure in the industry. His contributions have significantly impacted the field of space technology and open-source development.