Timeline

Discover the journey of Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, the driving force behind IBX, and see how his personal and professional milestones have shaped the company's success.

Inspired by the Apollo program as a young boy, Kam Ghaffarian’s dream was to become an engineer and contribute to the world of space. He borrowed $2,000 from his uncle, as an 18-year-old young Iranian student he made his way to Washington D.C. to pursue his education. Kam's journey was filled with hard work, from parking cars in Washington D.C to taking on various jobs while in college. His passion for learning led him to earn multiple bachelor’s degrees in computer science and electrical engineering, a master’s degree in information management, and a Ph.D. in technology, showcasing his dedication to knowledge and personal growth.

Kam Ghaffarian began his engineering journey with pivotal roles at esteemed companies such as Ford Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. He used his talents at NASA's Goddard Flight Center, making crucial contributions to projects like NASA's Spacelab, the Shuttle Program, and various scientific instruments. Kam also expanded his expertise by collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration. During this period, he gained valuable experience in management, technical government contract support, and playing instrumental roles in business development. These multifaceted experiences during this period laid a solid foundation for his subsequent achievements as a business leader supporting NASA, NOAA, and other federal government agencies.

In 1994, Kam Ghaffarian, in collaboration with Harold Stinger, co-founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), a pioneering force in engineering services for NASA. SGT, which eventually became NASA's second-largest engineering service provider, was instrumental in supporting some of NASA's most sensitive and cutting-edge projects, solidifying the team's significant influence in the aerospace industry. Over its 20-year history, SGT employed nearly 2,500 individuals, delivering essential engineering, mission operations, IT, and science solutions to government clients, including notable contributions to NASA's astronaut training and International Space Station operations. In 2018, the company was successfully sold to KBR, marking a significant milestone in its impactful journey.

Fueled by the mission to address humanity's expanding energy requirements, Dr. Kam Ghaffarian aimed to create a company capable of offering clean, affordable, and safe carbon-free power solutions. In 2009, Kam founded X-energy, a company at the forefront of revolutionizing advanced nuclear energy. Kam's leadership in establishing X-energy highlights his dedication to clean energy innovation, positioning him as a key influencer in shaping the nation's clean energy strategy.

Dr. Kam Ghaffarian co-founded Intuitive Machines, a diversified space company focused on space exploration in 2013. Along with co-founders Steve Altemus and Dr. Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines has grown into a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company that intends to etch its name in history by landing its Nova-C spacecraft on the surface of the Moon in 2023, potentially making it the first American spacecraft to land softly on the lunar surface since the Apollo era.  As a space exploration and services company, Intuitive Machines is pioneering the commercial landscape of outer space – with a North Star landing on the Moon.

In 2016, Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, alongside co-founder Michael T. Suffredini, co-founded Axiom Space with the visionary goal of constructing the world's first commercial space station—an integral component of a thriving economy in low Earth orbit and deep space. This innovative company aims to revolutionize commercial space utilization for the benefit of all, as it develops a cutting-edge platform in Low Earth Orbit, poised to succeed the International Space Station when it's decommissioned at the end of the decade. Axiom Space has already launched multiple private astronaut missions to the ISS and plans to attach its groundbreaking commercial module to the station. Through these bold initiatives, Axiom Space is boldly expanding the horizons of space exploration, paving the way for future generations.

Elevating innovation and investment to new heights, IBX emerges as a dynamic force composed of a handpicked team of experts in business, management, leadership, and innovation dedicated to reshaping the space, energy, and deep technology sectors. Founded by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian and led by his "imagine, believe, and execute" approach, IBX propels global technological progress, championing innovative enterprises and fostering strategic partnerships. With an unwavering commitment to reimagining business landscapes and incubating novel concepts, IBX actively shapes the economies of tomorrow, effectively transforming ideas into tangible solutions for a brighter and more promising future.

Inspired by the work of his friend, mentor, and SGT co-founder, Harold Stinger, Kam traveled with him to Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to support educational programs for local children. It expanded Kam’s commitment to education and empowerment and established the Emerging Light Foundation, a non-profit organization. Today, the Emerging Light Foundation supports diverse education programs around the globe, including continuing to support the work in Kinshasa. The foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering positive community impact domestically and abroad.

Dr. Kam Ghaffarian’s vision for interstellar exploration materialized in the creation of the Limitless Space Institute (LSI). Serving as both a research and educational non-profit, LSI inspires the next generation by focusing on enabling technologies for interstellar human space exploration. Kam's leadership in founding LSI reflects his unwavering dedication to advancing humanity's reach beyond our solar system.

Quantum Space, founded in 2021 by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Steve Jurczyk, and Ben Reed, is revolutionizing space commerce beyond Earth's orbit by providing essential space infrastructure to enable safer, more reliable, affordable, and routine travel and operations in deep space. With a focus on cislunar space, Quantum Space is building the space superhighway, offering situational awareness, computing, communication, and navigation services, delivering value to customers, and facilitating successful missions, unlocking the potential of this uncharted frontier.

PTX aims to deliver cutting-edge aerospace engineering services that drive the nation’s space missions forward. Founded by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian in 2022, PTX draws on decades of experience and is dedicated to advancing the nation's space missions by delivering cutting-edge aerospace engineering services. With a robust legacy of innovation and a focus on federal customers, PTX leverages its expertise to ensure the success of government space programs while introducing commercial process efficiencies and state-of-the-art technology solutions.