Sonny White

Dr. White has accumulated 25+ years of experience working in the aerospace industry with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and Limitless Space Institute. He currently serves as Director of Advanced Research and Development at LSI. In this role, he leads all R&D work for LSI and establishes priorities for investigations and expenditures. Dr. White obtains grants and other resources in support of R&D efforts; markets LSI to major benefactors to increase resources and related R&D efforts; and arranges/schedules/conducts events ensuring appropriately related well-known individuals are involved.

Dr. White holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Rice University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Alabama.

Dr. White has been recognized many times over the span of his career for his excellent work ethic, exceptional technical skills, abilities as a project manager, and dedication to the pursuit of human space flight. He was awarded the NASA Medal for Excellence in Achievement by the Administrator for his role in getting the Thermal Protection System robotic inspection tools built, delivered and certified to support the STS-114 mission. He was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by the crew office for his actions in the discovery and disposition of critical damage to the robotic arm prior to the STS-121 mission. He received the NASA Spaceflight Awareness Honoree award for the STS-122 mission, one of the highest, most prestigious awards available to employees of NASA. He was awarded the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal for his role in exploring and incorporating advanced power and propulsion concepts into human spaceflight architectures.