Adriana Fukuzato
About Adriana Fukuzato
Adriana Fukuzato is a Spacecraft Operations Engineer with extensive experience in satellite operations and GPS systems engineering. She has worked for various organizations, including Skybox Imaging, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab, and holds a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from San Jose State University.
Work at Rocket Lab
Adriana Fukuzato currently serves as a Spacecraft Operations Engineer at Rocket Lab, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing spacecraft operations, ensuring that all systems function effectively during missions. Her expertise contributes to the successful deployment and management of Rocket Lab's satellite launches from their facilities in Long Beach, California.
Previous Experience in Satellite Operations
Before joining Rocket Lab, Adriana Fukuzato worked at Skybox Imaging as a Satellite Controller from 2014 to 2016. During her two years in Mountain View, California, she was involved in the operational management of satellite systems. Following that, she served as a Space Systems Engineer at Planet Labs from 2016 to 2019, where she focused on satellite system development and integration.
Education and Expertise in Aerospace Engineering
Adriana Fukuzato earned her Master of Science (M.S.) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from San Jose State University, completing her studies from 2013 to 2015. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Physics from Occidental College, where she studied from 2009 to 2013. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her work in spacecraft operations and systems engineering.
Role in GPS Systems Engineering
From 2020 to 2021, Adriana Fukuzato worked as a Systems Engineer at LinQuest, specializing in GPS Systems Engineering and Integration. In this role, she provided engineering and technical analysis support to the US Space Force, ensuring that GPS technology maintained its standards for position, navigation, and timing. Her responsibilities included developing technical requirements and coordinating changes with various stakeholders.
Mission Operations Specialist Experience
Adriana Fukuzato also worked as a Mission Operations Specialist for SOFIA at USRA from 2019 to 2020. During her ten-month tenure in the Greater Los Angeles Area, she coordinated mission operations and supported the scientific objectives of the SOFIA program, which involved the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.