Dr. Sengupta is an aerospace engineer, rocket scientist, and veteran of the space program who has developed technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, asteroids, and deep space for 20 years. Her career began with the launch of vehicles and communication satellites at Boeing Space and Communications. She then worked for NASA for 16 years where her engineering projects included her PhD research on developing the ion propulsion system for the Dawn Mission (currently in the main asteroid belt), the supersonic parachute that landed the Curiosity rover on Mars, and the Cold Atom Laboratory an atomic physics facility now on board the International Space Station.
After leaving NASA she led the development of the hyperloop as Senior Vice President of engineering systems at Virgin Hyperloop, a technology that can enable ground-based travel in excess of airline speed.
In 2019 she became a co-founder and chief product officer of Airspace Experience Technologies, or ASX (asx.us), located in Detroit Michigan, which is leading the development of a hybrid-electric, vertical takeoff and landing urban aerial mobility system. She and her team hope to use the system to revolutionize urban transit. As an engineering savvy executive and pilot, she is now leading the mobility solutions for smart cities by eliminating congestion and reducing the carbon footprint of air travel.
Dr. Sengupta received her MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California, where she is also a Research Associate Professor of Astronautics and Space Technology specializing in interplanetary entry system and green transportation technology.
In her spare time she is an avid pilot, motorcyclist, scuba diver, snowboarder, hiker, long distance runner, and Sci-Fi fan.