Bulent Altan

Bulent Altan is a Founding Partner of Alpine Space Ventures and a NewSpace veteran with two decades of experience at the most cutting-edge and disruptive space companies in the industry. Bulent began his career in 2004 as one of the first employees at the then newly-established SpaceX, having graduated from Stanford University and completed his earlier studies at the Technical University of Munich. At SpaceX, he was essential in growing the avionics department from just seven people to over 200, serving as Vice President responsible for the avionics of the Falcon rockets and the Dragon capsule. In his latest role at the company, he served as Vice President of Satellite Mission Assurance for SpaceX's Starlink satellite mega-constellation.

From 2014 to 2016, Bulent left SpaceX to co-found the start-up ecosystem and aerospace industry in Europe, during which time he held positions as a partner and mentor at the Munich industrial start-up accelerator TechFounders and took on the role of Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation at Airbus Defence and Space. Following his second stint at SpaceX until the end of 2017, Bulent went on to help disrupt the space communications landscape by leading Mynaric, a free-space optical communications company, as their CEO.

In 2018, Bulent made one of his most consequential early investments, becoming one of the first angel investors in Isar Aerospace. He subsequently became Chairman of the Board, a role he continues to hold alongside his work at Alpine Space Ventures.