Jim Cantrell

Based in Tucson, Arizona, accomplished aerospace and automotive industry executive Jim Cantrell co-founded Phantom Space in 2019 and continues to drive operations as chief executive officer. He previously founded Logan, Utah’s StratSpace in 2002 and spent 17 years leading the spacecraft development engineering firm as chief executive officer. Prior to founding StratSpace, Jim Cantrell spent 9 years as the director of Space Dynamics Lab. He generated more than $400 million in new business during his time with Space Dynamics, while also supporting activities in areas such as spacecraft systems engineering and mission operations.

Mr. Cantrell holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University in Logan. He began his career as an engineer in 1988 with Pasadena, California’s JPL, followed by 3 years as a systems engineer at the French space agency CNES. While at CNES, he worked on the Mars 96 mission, assisting in the development of the mission’s balloon system. In his free time, he enjoys auto racing.