Darren W. Rowen is the director of the Small Satellite Department at The Aerospace Corporation. Rowen got involved with small satellite development starting in 2011, where he was the lead developer for one of the first CubeSat-size attitude determination and control systems. Since then, he has assumed increasing responsibilities for flight software, systems engineering and project management, enabling the successful launch and operations of more than 25 custom small satellites, which have formed one of the biggest privately managed satellite constellations. Rowen was instrumental in the development and demonstration of the first space-to-ground optical communication link from a CubeSat.

Prior to joining the small satellite revolution, Rowen worked at Northrop Grumman Space Technology, supporting control systems analysis for Class A spacecraft.

Education

Rowen completed a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program in electrical engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology focusing on control systems.

Awards and Honors

Rowen was recognized as an Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar by the Rochester Institute of Technology. This honor reflects the top one percent of students who maintain academic excellence while giving back to their community through civic or volunteer work, conducting research, or engaging in co-op work or other efforts in their field of study.