Ali Guarneros Luna

Ms. Ali Guarneros Luna is a senior NASA aerospace engineer supporting the Small Satellite Technology Program (SSTP)  at The Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), managing Tipping Points program and other small satellites. 

Prior to this position, Ali has been involved in many small spacecraft programs including being the Mission Manager of the Technology Education Satellite, (TechEdSat), Deputy Manager for Network & Operation Demonstration Satellite (NODES), System Engineer for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) national lab and many other at NASA Ames Research Center.  She has made significant contributions as a member of the SPHERES Engineering team, a group that helps scientists, companies and government institutions from all over the world access the highly advanced robot platforms that are located on the International Space Station (ISS), as well as the 1st American satellite deployed form the ISS, TechEdSat. 

Ali grew up in Mexico reading about the space shuttle missions and decided she wanted to study Aerospace Engineering. At 14, Ali immigrated to California. After graduating from high school still mastering the English language, she attended San Jose City College where she obtained an A.S. degree and then transferred to San Jose State University (SJSU), Department of Engineering. She graduated from SJSU with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and began her career as an intern with NASA Ames Research Center working with the Center’s Chief of Technology. Prior to her move to Code PX, she was a lead for safety certification and tests, certifying equipment for flight. 

Ali is an active member of the community, participating in multiple STEM related associations, mentoring students ranging from elementary school to the university level. Ali received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from San Jose State University. In October of 2013, Ali was honored by the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC) Great Minds in STEM with an award Luminary Honorees, in 2014 she was awarded by the office of the International Space Station (ISS) Space Award for her work to SPHERES, MRMSS, NODES, TechEdSat Series. In October 2015, Ali was awarded the NASA Honor Award – Equal Employment Opportunity Medal.  In February of 2018, Ali was awarded the 2017 Space Technology Award for the Project Nodes.Ali’s international recognition includes the Ohtli Award or Reconocimiento Ohtli, presented to her May 3, 2018. In October of 2018, Ali received the Women of Color (WOC) Outstanding Technical Contribution in Government Award.