Tom Mueller - Founder & CEO, Impulse Space
Schedule
Fri May 01 2026 at 12:30 pm to 01:15 pm
UTC-07:00Location
ICCU Arena | Moscow, ID
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Vandal alumnus and renowned space propulsion expert Tom Mueller will give the keynote address during the University of Idaho's nationally recognized Engineering Design EXPO. Tom Mueller
Founder & CEO, Impulse Space
12:30-1:15 p.m.
Friday, May 1
Idaho Central Credit Union Arena, Ground Floor Stage
University of Idaho Moscow Campus
Free and open to the public.
Recognized as one of the world’s foremost propulsion experts, Tom Mueller brings unparalleled expertise in advanced propulsion architectures, rapid development cycles, and flight-proven engineering to Boom Supersonic as a member of the Advisory Council.
As founder and CEO of Impulse Space, an in-space propulsion company, Tom leads the development of chemical propulsion systems, orbital transfer vehicles, and planetary landers.
Tom’s career spans more than three decades of breakthrough engineering. Before founding Impulse Space in 2021, he was a founding member of SpaceX (and its first employee). As Vice President of Propulsion Engineering and later CTO of Propulsion, Tom led the development of the Merlin, Draco, and SuperDraco engine families—systems that powered the Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft and helped transform the economics of space access..
Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University. Originally from St. Maries, Idaho, he grew up building and flying rockets—a passion that he continues today through hands-on engineering, mentoring, and time spent outdoors.
About the Engineering Design EXPO
The University of Idaho College of Engineering's annual Engineering Design EXPO is a Vandal tradition. Our 2026 event will be our 33rd EXPO, making it the longest-running student engineering and technological innovation showcase in the Pacific Northwest.
Working in teams, engineering students from across disciplines present their projects from our college’s Interdisciplinary Capstone Design Program, recognized by the National Academy of Engineering as one of the best in the nation. For some students, EXPO is the final culminating event before graduating and joining the workforce.
More than 500 students, grades K-12 as well as community colleges, attend EXPO annually to explore projects that push the boundaries of science and technology and learn more about the University of Idaho.
These students gain a better sense of what it’s like to be an engineering student at U of I by meeting current students and faculty members, and exploring the many project and research opportunities available to undergraduates at U of I.
Representatives and business leaders from across the region attend and help judge the projects presented at EXPO, giving ample opportunity for students to meet and interact with industry leaders who are looking to hire for highly-skilled additions to their teams.
The success of EXPO would not be possible without the overwhelming support from corporate and academic partnerships, including presenting sponsor Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
More at https://www.facebook.com/events/927685719744046/.
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Where is it happening?
ICCU Arena, 1026 W Idaho Ave, Moscow, ID 83843, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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