Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer Appointment Powers Orbital Energy Grid Expansion
The appointment of the new Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer, Dale Parkes, will accelerate the deployment of the company’s orbital power grid.
News About Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer
Albuquerque-based aerospace startup Mantis Space announced the appointment of Dale Parkes as Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer. Parkes brings more than 26 years of defense sector experience following a distinguished career at Boeing and Hughes Space, where he served as a Boeing Technical Fellow and Chief Engineer across high-energy laser programs.
Reporting directly to Mantis Space Chief Executive Officer Eric Truitt, Parkes will lead engineering teams specializing in optical, mechanical, electrical, and space systems. The technical team includes former engineering leads from organizations such as Apple, Meta, Google, Lockheed Martin, Sandia National Laboratory, the United States Space Force, and the James Webb Space Telescope project.
Founded in 2025 by Eric Truitt, Jeremy Scheerer, and Hugh Wyman Howard III, Mantis Space is developing an orbital power grid constellation. Operating in near-continuous sunlight, the spacecraft rely on precision laser beam transmission to deliver power directly to satellite solar arrays operating in Earth’s shadow.
Significance of Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer
The appointment of Dale Parkes as Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer is significant for the commercial space economy because scaling orbital power delivery requires advanced beam control, high-power optics, and thermal management. During his tenure at Boeing, Parkes led technical initiatives for the Missile Defense Agency’s Low Power Laser Demonstrator and served as Fire Control Lead on the Airborne Laser Program, bringing mission-critical laser expertise to commercial space architecture.
Satellites and orbital platforms traditionally face operational constraints during eclipse periods when Earth blocks solar radiation, forcing reliance on heavy onboard battery storage. Delivering continuous laser-based energy directly to orbiting spacecraft allows operators to reduce battery mass, lower launch payloads, and extend active operational lifespans.
Furthermore, building an in-space power distribution network provides critical infrastructure for future commercial space stations, satellite mega-constellations, and deep-space missions. Integrating defense-grade optical engineering with commercial space manufacturing helps accelerate the transition of wireless energy transmission from conceptual testing to continuous orbital operation.
Next Steps for Mantis Space Chief Technology Officer
Following his executive appointment, Parkes will oversee hardware design, optical alignment protocols, and system integration across Mantis Space facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Marietta, Georgia; and Santa Clara, California. Engineering teams will focus on refining beam tracking accuracy and scaling prototype power receiver systems.
Looking ahead, Mantis Space will advance flight-test demonstrations to validate laser-based wireless power transfer between orbiting satellites. Executive leadership will continue engaging with defense agencies, satellite operators, and commercial space ventures to establish commercial power supply agreements for future orbital missions.
