Speakers

Khalid Manjoo is a senior space industry leader and registered Professional Engineer with extensive experience spanning technical, strategic, and executive leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has been entrusted with positions of increasing responsibility — from early leadership roles as Prefect and Head Boy to Engineering Manager, Co‑Founder & CEO of Astrofica Technologies, and currently Senior Director of Spacecraft Engineering at the Saudi Space Agency.

With deep expertise in satellite systems engineering and end‑to‑end space program delivery, Khalid has contributed to 12 satellite missions across South Africa and Saudi Arabia. His experience spans PocketQubes, CubeSats, and 500 kg SmallSats supporting human capital development payloads, technology demonstrations, operational Earth observation, remote sensing, and national security applications.

Beyond engineering execution, he has played a strategic role in shaping industry and national policy. He served as a lead advisor on the 2018/2019 South African Space Industry Framework and the 2019/2020 Aerospace and Defence Masterplan. He has also supported both South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in establishing and advancing sovereign national space capabilities.

His leadership philosophy is grounded in humility, technical rigor, disciplined execution, and long‑term value creation. He is passionate about advancing space-based technologies and enabling nations to become credible, competitive Space Pioneers in the global space economy.