Ronak Dave is a Flight Director at NASA’s Johnson Space Center who always knew he wanted to work in Human Spaceflight Operations. His journey from a curious engineer to one of NASA’s elite is inspiring. With a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University, his path to NASA was fueled by curiosity, determination, and a little networking ingenuity.

From tinkering with appliances in his childhood home to orchestrating critical missions at NASA, Ronak talks about how each experience brought him to work in the space industry. He shares lessons learned in leadership and teamwork while managing a $150 billion spacecraft and working alongside astronauts. Ronak also offers insight into how NASA’s redundancy, preparation, and collaboration principles shape the space program and everyday decision-making.

Beyond the control room, Ronak emphasizes the importance of balance and finding moments to disconnect. Whether stepping away to cook, enjoying Purdue basketball games, or practicing the art of turning off work’s ever-present “buzz,” he reminds us that mindfulness is essential—even in a high-stakes role.

About Ronak Dave

Ronak Dave joined NASA in 2011 as a Pathways Intern, becoming a cornerstone of the Flight Operations Directorate. His extensive career includes roles in mission control for the International Space Station, propulsion systems support for Boeing’s Starliner, and leadership in Artemis I and II missions. Selected as a Flight Director in 2022, Ronak now spearheads critical projects like the SpaceX-30 Dragon cargo mission. His team, Momentum, reflects the physics principles he champions and the urgency required to keep missions and people safe.

To connect with Ronak or learn more about his work, follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Momentum_Flight. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it! 

YOU CAN HELP US SEND STORIES TO SPACE!  Please visit our GoFundMe campaign and help send more stories to space!  https://gofund.me/62f1ff87 

You can follow and share in the socials, 

• LinkedIn - @casualspacepodcast

• Facebook - @casualspacepodcast

• Instagram - @casualspacepodcast

• YouTube - @casualspacepodcast83

or email me at [email protected].

*Remember!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com Also, to help support sending stories about space to space.  Visit our 2025 GoFundMe Campaign at this link: https://gofund.me/0638ee0e