About the Company
Established in 2021
Continuum Space Systems (Continuum) is a Software-as-a-Service for space startup launched from the Mandala Space Ventures studio in Pasadena, CA. The service is based, in part, on technologies licensed from California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which is the parent company of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a NASA field center for robotic exploration of space. The total funding invested in the development of these tools, exceeds $40-50M by NASA over multiple decades. These tools are flight proven and are what NASA/JPL use to design and navigate missions across our Solar System. Indeed, Caltech is an equity holder in Continuum at 3% of founding shares. The technical team of Continuum also comes from JPL and has relevant experience gained on missions including Cassini at Saturn, Europa Clipper, missions to the Moon, Mars, Earth constellations and more. Continuum has also developed unique, internal IP to glue these tools together into a common, Enterprise software platform. The currently offered services are focused on Space Mission Ideation & Design, Navigation, Trajectory Optimization and more.
Mission
To accelerate space exploration for the benefit of humanity. We provide ‘picks & shovels’ to the emerging space entrepreneurs.
Vision
Our vision is to provide today’s space operators with better tools and technology that reduce the inefficiencies commonly found in planning, designing and executing space missions. We aim to serve the growing space industry by enabling teams to focus on their core competencies and advance the potential of space exploration and commercialization.
Values
- Collaboration - Everyone has something to contribute, we are stronger as a team than as individuals.
- Dream Big - We do not limit ourselves and strive to push the boundaries of what is possible.
- Education for All - We focus on learning and growth not only for our team but for the next generation.
- Be Yourself - Our people make our culture, we value diversity of people and thought.
- People are our Asset - we invest in people, their growth and the balance between work and quality of life..
Meet the Team
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Dr. Leon Alkalai
CO-FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Mandala Space Ventures was founded in 2021 by Dr. Leon Alkalai, a 31-year veteran and Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology….
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Dr. Loic Chappaz
CO-FOUNDER & CTO
Loic is a specialist in Mission Design – Trajectory Design and Optimization – Constellation Design. Loic leads the development of Continuum’s platform and also served as Principal Engineer at Mandala Space Ventures…
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Steve Armstrong
MISSION OPERATIONS LEAD
Stephen is currently developing mission operations capabilities at Continuum Space. He is expanding his team, so If you are interested in working with him, please reach out.
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Niharika Patel
Platform Architect Lead
Niharika is a specialist in Mission Design and Navigation – Maneuver Design – Formation flying and constellations. Niharika’s focus is on mission systems modeling and design, operations, and…
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Sameer Talnikar
Flight System Engineer Lead
Sameer is a Spacecraft Design & Systems Engineer – Mechanical Design. Sameer has been leading the spacecraft design systems for Continuum’s platform, previously with his role with Mandala Space Ventures.
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Matt Dow
Space Systems and 3D
Matt is a specialist in data visualization for aerospace systems and orbital dynamics. Matt’s focus is the 2D and 3D visualization of any mission data from the very beginning of the mission design process…
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Chandler Clemons
Finance & Data Science
Chandler oversees Finance and Data Science. A trained econometrician and data scientist, Chandler focuses on helping founders successfully bring their ideas to market through both technical development…