Viren Patel

Viren Patel is a Staff Mechanical Engineer at Astra since February 2024, bringing extensive experience in spacecraft systems engineering, having previously worked as a Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Momentus. In that role, Viren led the systems engineering for a low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft, overseeing its entire lifecycle from conceptual design to launch and on-orbit operation. Prior to Momentus, Viren worked at Maxar Technologies in various engineering positions, including System Architecture Development Engineer and Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, playing key roles in payload accommodation and the design of the interplanetary PSYCHE mission. Earlier experience includes working as a Propulsion Configuration Engineer and an Associate Mechanical Engineer at Maxar, along with summer internships at NASA Ames Research Center. Viren holds a Master’s degree and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, as well as multiple Associate of Arts degrees from San Joaquin Delta College.