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Personnel News

Etop Esen

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
March 5, 2021
Filed under
Etop Esen

Keith’s note: From CASIS: In remembrance of Etop Esen, Ph.D., It is with a sad heart that we announce the tragic death of our beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Etop Esen. He is survived by Imeh, his wife, and his two beautiful children. Etop suffered a heart attack on Saturday Feb 27th during his routine jog. A “Go Fund Me” to help the family with the expenses can be found with this link. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-etops-family-with-funeral-cost
Keith’s update: Over $11,000 $14,000 $15,000 $17,000 $22,000 has been raised. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Details of the funeral arrangements are at the GoFundMe link.

Dr. Etop Esen was an aerospace professional most recently working as a Commercial Innovation Manager for the Center for the Advancement of Science In Space, managers of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. Originally employed in the energy industry, Etop spent many years working for ConocoPhillips (in countries as far reaching as Kazakhstan, Norway, and France), and in recent years he resided in Houston, Texas. Etop held a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University.
Etop’s work for the ISS National Lab included support of clients in many areas of technology development, and in collaboration with colleagues at NASA, he was able to advance projects in many areas of research and development. Some of the projects he supported included industry sustainability efforts, working with satellite launch and space debris projects, and supporting technology development programs aimed at advancing in-space computing and data processing. He also led the ISS National Lab collaboration with MassChallenge and the Boeing Technology In Space Prize, prospecting for new and promising opportunities for high- technology start-ups.
Beyond his professional accolades, Etop was a talented musician and advocate for inclusion and diversity who served as an impactful mentor and role model. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Ad astra Etop!

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.

One response to “Etop Esen”

  1. Mike Read says:
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    Keith, we’ve likely been on opposite sides of numerous topics over the last couple decades, but I want to tell you how much I appreciate your broadcasting this sad news. Etop was a colleague and a friend, and very well-respected with his expertise and measured, thoughtful response to our mutual endeavor towards the commercialization of low-Earth orbit. His passing was and is a shock to many of us…he will be missed.