Space Tango’s New CEO Charts a Course for Groundbreaking Research and Development in Space
Space Tango, the pioneering Kentucky-based startup renowned for conducting innovative research and science experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), recently announced Sita Sonty as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), heralding a new era of leadership and innovation for the company.
Sonty brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously led the space industry practice at the Boston Consulting Group and served as the Head of Human Spaceflight Sales at SpaceX. Her appointment signifies Space Tango’s commitment to advancing microgravity applications in diverse fields, including hardware, software, materials science, biotechnology, and medicine.
Co-founder Twyman Clements, who has been at the helm, will continue to play a pivotal role in the company as President, providing valuable continuity and expertise. Under Sonty’s leadership, Space Tango aims to expand its business, leveraging its “proven flight payload heritage, a dedicated customer base, and cutting-edge commercial use cases.” These endeavors hold the potential to revolutionize medicine and additive manufacturing in the unique environment of space.
Founded in 2014, Space Tango emerged from a partnership between Twyman Clements and Kris Kimel, the former CEO of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation. Their shared vision was to simplify and enhance access to space-based research and product development. Today, the company stands as a commercial spinoff of Kentucky Space, a nonprofit consortium comprising universities and public and private organizations, with a presence in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, California, and Washington, D.C.
Through a NASA Space Act Agreement, Space Tango has been providing state-of-the-art facilities on the ISS since 2017 to support research and development as well as manufacturing. Their mission centers on harnessing the microgravity environment as a new frontier for discovery and innovation.
Space Tango envisions a future where groundbreaking advancements in healthcare and technology emerge from space-based research, and they are committed to creating a global market 250 miles above Earth’s surface. By collaborating with diverse industry and educational partners, Space Tango seeks to improve life on Earth and inspire future generations to explore the limitless possibilities of space.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.
Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
