John Kennedy
About John Kennedy
John Kennedy serves as the Reactor System Program Manager for the iX Lunar Fission Surface Power Project at X-energy, where he has worked since 2019. He has extensive experience in nuclear engineering, including roles at various research institutions and a strong academic background in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Work at X-energy
John Kennedy has served as the Reactor System Program Manager for the iX. Lunar Fission Surface Power Project at X-energy since 2019. His role involves leading the Nuclear Systems Design, Analysis, & Safety team for the Xe-Mobile program. The project aims to establish the first nuclear reactor power plant on the moon by the end of the decade. Kennedy's work focuses on advancing nuclear technology for space applications.
Education and Expertise
John Kennedy holds a Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His educational background provides a strong foundation in engineering principles, particularly in nuclear multiphysics analysis and nuclear experiment design & analysis. This expertise supports his current role in nuclear systems and reactor design.
Background
Before joining X-energy, John Kennedy accumulated extensive experience in various engineering roles. He worked as a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Honeywell and as a Thermal Hydraulics Engineer at Idaho National Laboratory. Additionally, he served as a Graduate Instructor at the University of Missouri from 2009 to 2015. His early career included internships at Covidien and Argonne National Laboratory, where he focused on reactor conversion programs.
Achievements
John Kennedy has contributed to significant projects in the nuclear engineering field, including supporting the NNSA HALEU conversion of High Performance Research and Test Reactors. He has also played a role in the design of novel Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) reactors. His leadership in the Xe-Mobile program at X-energy reflects his commitment to advancing nuclear technology for future space exploration.