Rocket propulsion expert, SpaceX founding member Tom Mueller to present at Engineering Design EXPO

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho alumnus and renowned space propulsion expert Tom Mueller will give a free, public keynote address during the College of Engineering’s nationally recognized Engineering Design EXPO, the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running showcase of student engineering and technological innovation.

Mueller’s keynote will be held 12:30-1:15 p.m. Friday, May 1, in the ICCU Arena on U of I’s Moscow campus.

Recognized as one of the world’s foremost propulsion experts, Mueller’s career spans more than three decades, with expertise in advanced propulsion architectures, rapid development cycles and flight-proven engineering.

Mueller, of St. Maries, excelled in U of I’s engineering program before becoming a co-founding member and one of the first employees at SpaceX. He led the development of the Merlin, Draco and SuperDraco engines. These engine families power SpaceX’s Falcon rocket and satellite launch vehicles, as well as crew- and cargo-capable Dragon spacecraft, helping transform the economics of space access.

Mueller founded Impulse Space in 2021. As CEO of the in-space propulsion company, he leads the development of chemical propulsion systems, orbital transfer vehicles and planetary landers.

During the Engineering Design EXPO, College of Engineering students will showcase interactive projects from the college’s Interdisciplinary Senior Capstone Design Program, recognized by the National Academy of Engineering for infusing real-world experiences into undergraduate engineering education.

This event is free and open to the public 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the ICCU Arena before Mueller’s keynote.

Engineering students work in interdisciplinary teams on creative projects sponsored by industry partners, private individuals or U of I departments. Courses in the capstone program emphasize the design process and the creation of thoughtfully engineered, tested and validated outcomes or prototypes.

There are many ways to participate in EXPO. Industry partners and the public are invited to judge capstone projects, and regional educators can bring their classrooms to explore how U of I students are pushing the boundaries of science and technology. Learn more at go.uidaho.edu/engr-expo.

MEDIA NOTE: Tom Mueller and students presenting EXPO projects are available for interview upon request. Email alexisst@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-7511 to arrange interviews.

Media contact

Alexiss Turner
Marketing and Communications Strategist  
University of Idaho College of Engineering
208-885-7511
alexisst@uidaho.edu