Twyman Clements (Space Tango)
Overview
Twyman Clements is the President and Co-Founder of Space Tango, a company at the forefront of low-Earth orbit (LEO) research dedicated to the benefits of microgravity for scientific and commercial purposes. Space Tango, under Clements' leadership, is pioneering advances in automated systems that enable data collection and manufacturing in space, impacting technology, materials science, and biotechnology realms. Twyman Clements has gained recognition for his contributions to space commercialization and has been acknowledged among the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company.
Recent Developments
- September 1, 2023: Space Tango announced the appointment of S. Sita Sonty as the new CEO, with Twyman Clements remaining as President. Sonty's expertise is expected to expand the company's impact on microgravity applications in various industries.
- August 29, 2024: In a personal statement, Twyman shared insights into advancing research in microgravity to solve pressing Earth problems through strategic partnerships.
- April 2025: Space Tango successfully launched multiple projects, including studies on muscle aging and sustainability in agriculture, marking a significant contribution to leveraging microgravity research for real-world applications.
- Ongoing: Space Tango continues collaborations with significant partners like Sierra Space, exploring microgravity solutions for advancements in biotechnology and materials science.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Twyman Clements |
| Born | Bardstown, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | President & Co-Founder, Space Tango |
| Known For | Advancements in microgravity research and commercialization |
| Education | B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky |
Early Life and Education
Twyman Clements grew up on a farm near Bardstown, Kentucky, where his early experiences with model rockets sparked an interest in space exploration. His journey into aerospace began in earnest at the University of Kentucky, where he pursued degrees in mechanical engineering. It was there that he connected with Kentucky Space, working on projects ranging from high-altitude balloons to CubeSats and International Space Station (ISS) hardware, laying a vital foundation for his future endeavors in space research and development.
Career and Notable Achievements
- 2014: Co-founded Space Tango with Kris Kimel as a spin-off from Kentucky Space, aiming to leverage space-based research for transformational solutions.
- 2016-2017: Installed the first and second TangoLab facilities on the ISS, increasing access to microgravity research.
- Awarded for innovative contributions to space commercialization, including recognition by Fast Company and induction into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
- Developed partnerships with NASA and SpaceX for numerous successful missions to the ISS, focusing on automated systems for a variety of scientific applications.
Current Work and Impact
Twyman Clements continues to guide Space Tango in its mission to utilize microgravity for groundbreaking advancements in multiple industries. His leadership has established Space Tango as a crucial player in the evolving economy of LEO, with a particular emphasis on creating a sustainable infrastructure for space-based manufacturing. The company's endeavors in autonomous platforms for scalable manufacturing aim to revolutionize not only aerospace technology but also healthcare and industrial processes on Earth.
Conclusion
Twyman Clements stands as a visionary leader in the realm of space commercialization, transforming the potential of microgravity into tangible societal benefits. His work with Space Tango is a driving force behind the shift towards autonomously producing high-value products in space. Looking forward, Clements' contributions are poised to influence various sectors, heralding a new era of innovation and economic development in space.