Joseph Bussenger ’13, Pinpoint Landing
Thanks to the Delaware Valley Science Fair, where he won the opportunity to view a shuttle launch, Joe Bussenger learned about Florida Tech. He went on to choose Florida Tech to earn his bachelor of science in aerospace engineering in 2013 and is planning further graduate degrees at the university as well.
As a standout student, Joe won several awards, including the Northrop Grumman Best in Engineering Award and the United Technologies Award for Top Student in Engineering. With such promising, young talent, Joe secured a position with SpaceX before he completed his degree.
He started as the lead engineer for recovery and landing operations, and he is now manager of offshore and landing operations engineering. Recovery, refurbishment, and reuse of orbital rocket boosters are critical to SpaceX’s goal of reducing the cost of access to space and ultimately enabling humans to live on other planets. “The project-based learning I received Florida Tech helped prepare me for my role today,” Bussenger said.
Bussenger was featured in Florida Tech’s 60th Anniversary special edition book, “60 for 60: Celebrating Sixty Years of Alumni at Florida Institute of Technology.” Copies are available for purchase here.
