Draft:Carol Craig

Carol Marlene Craig (born December 9, 1966) is an American aerospace executive, engineer, and former U.S. Navy Naval Flight Officer. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU), a space and defense technology company based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the founder and CEO of Craig Technologies, an aerospace and defense engineering firm. She is one of the first women eligible to fly combat aircraft in the U.S. Navy and is noted for her leadership in commercial space, satellite manufacturing, and space-based data technologies.^[1]

Early life and education

Craig was born in the United States and adopted at nine days old; she is of Cuban descent, with her birth family originating from Havana.^[2]

She holds multiple academic degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Knox College (1989)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (1990)
• Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2006)
• Master of Business Administration (Finance specialization), Florida Institute of Technology (in progress)
• Ph.D. Candidate in Systems Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology (ins. progress)

Military career

Craig served in the United States Navy from 1991 to 1998 in several technical and aviation roles. As a P‑3C Orion Naval Flight Officer, she was among the first women eligible to fly combat aircraft and managed tactical navigation and communication systems aboard maritime patrol aircraft.^[3]

Her roles included:

• Naval Flight Officer, P‑3C Orion (1993–1996)
• Automated Data Processing Security Officer
• Senior Programmer/Analyst and AIS Director, supporting flight systems, networks, and mainframe environments (1991–1998)

Her Navy experience and early avionics engineering work have been highlighted in multiple business and aerospace features.^[3][4]

Business career

Media coverage

Craig has been featured in national and regional media outlets, including:

• ABC’s Good Morning America “Trailblazing Women” segment^[25]
• Multiple AccuWeather profiles on commercial space innovation^[26][27]
• Forbes “50 Over 50” and long‑form interviews^[28][29]
• CNBC’s Investing in Space^[30][31]
• SpaceNews, Satellite Today, and industry publications covering Sidus missions, contracts, and satellite development^[32][33]

Board memberships

Craig has served on more than 30 boards across aerospace, education, regional development, and nonprofit organizations.^[34]

Awards and honors

Craig has received numerous recognitions for leadership in aerospace, entrepreneurship, and STEM advocacy, including:

• 2024 Forbes 50 Over 50 – Innovation^[28]
• 2025 Florida Trend Florida 500^[35]
• 2023 Women Worth Watching in STEM (Profiles in Diversity Journal)^[36]
• 2022 Globee Women World Awards^[37]
• 2023 Stevie Awards: Most Innovative Woman of the Year (Technology)^[38]
• 2022 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, University of Illinois^[39]
• 2020 U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce “Innovation and Performance” Award^[40]
• 2015 SBA Small Business Person of the Year (Florida & South Florida District)^[41]
• 2013 NDIA Small Business Executive of the Year^[42]
• 2013 HENAAC Entrepreneur of the Year (Great Minds in STEM)^[43]

Personal life

Craig is married to CAPT John W. Craig, USN (Ret.), a former F/A‑18 pilot and JetBlue Airways captain.^[44] They have two children. Her son’s diagnosis of Prader‑Willi Syndrome led her to establish the Danny Craig Foundation, which supports medical research and programs for children with medical disorders.^[45]

See also

• Women in aerospace
• Commercial spaceflight
• Satellite manufacturing

References

External links

• Satellite Today – “Sidus Space to Expand to Europe With a Netherlands Office.”
• Connectivity Business – “Executives on the Move: Sidus Appoints CCO.”
• Composites World – “Markforged Highlights Sidus Space 3D‑Printed Composite Satellite.”
• SATNEWS – “Sidus Space + L3Harris Team for DoD Mentor‑Protégé Program.”
• ExecutiveBiz – “L3Harris, Sidus Space Enter Mentor‑Protege Agreement.”
• Intelligence Community News – “Sidus and L3Harris Partner for DoD Mentor‑Protégé Program.”
• Marinelog – “How AIS Technology and the Satellite Industry Team Up at Sea.”
• 3D Printing Industry – “Markforged and Sidus Space Join Forces to Build 3D Printed LizzieSat.”
• TerraWatch – “Last Week in Earth Observation.”
• Satellite Today – “Spotlight: Satellite Industry Playlist.”
• SATNEWS – “Sidus Space to Launch LizzieSat via SpaceX.”
• Parabolic Arc – Biz Briefs (Space Industry).
• 3DPrint.com – “Earth is the Future of the Space Sector: Why Sidus Is 3D Printing Satellites.”
• PhotonIcs.com – “Week in Brief: Rockley Photonics Completes Financial Restructure.”
• American Entrepreneurship Podcast – Interview with Carol Craig.
• SATNEWS – “Sidus Space Contracts with Maris-Tech and Lulav Space.”
• Parabolic Arc – Biz Briefs (GMV & SES).
• Connectivity Business – “Powering Data Through Satellite-as-a-Service.”
• AccuWeather – “NASA Moving the Artemis I Rocket to Avoid Hurricane Ian.”
• Apple Podcasts – “Better Satellite World: Making Space for New Space with Sidus Space’s Carol Craig.”
• Space.com – “Artemis and Sidus Space Feature.”
• AOL / syndicated AccuWeather video – “Meet the Woman Bringing Space Down to Earth.”
• MSN syndicated article – “Meet the Woman Bringing Space Down to Earth.”
• Electronics Specifier – “North America’s Supply Chain Event Returning to Long Beach.”