Topher Haddad

Topher Haddad is the co-founder and CEO of Albedo, a satellite imaging company that specializes in developing low-flying satellites capable of capturing high-resolution visible and thermal imagery of the Earth. Albedo was founded in 2020 and has quickly gained attention in the aerospace and defense industry, particularly for its innovative approach to Earth observation from very low Earth orbit (VLEO) .127

Background and Education

Before establishing Albedo, Haddad worked as a lead systems engineer at Lockheed Martin, where he focused on classified remote sensing satellites. His experience there included optical design and imaging architecture for various government programs .148 Topher holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Johns Hopkins University .43

Albedo's Mission and Achievements

Under Haddad's leadership, Albedo completed the Y Combinator accelerator program and successfully raised significant funding, including a $10 million seed round led by Initialized Capital and a subsequent $48 million Series A round co-led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Shield Capital .156 The company's first satellite, named Clarity, is set to launch in 2025, aiming to provide aerial-quality imagery for applications across various sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and national security .27

Vision for the Future

Haddad envisions a future where Albedo's satellites will not only enhance the quality of Earth observation data but also democratize access to high-resolution imagery for diverse industries. His commitment to innovation in satellite technology reflects a broader trend in the space industry toward more accessible and detailed Earth observation capabilities .58