Meet The Team
We’re a multidisciplinary team of engineers, researchers, and innovators advancing intelligent systems for the next generation of aerospace, energy, and industrial applications. With backgrounds spanning flight controls, AI, and systems design, our team brings together decades of experience building mission-critical technology—from autonomous vehicles to advanced simulation environments.
At AstraQua, we combine deep technical expertise with a shared vision: to build software that enables smarter, more resilient, and interconnected systems across air, sea, and space.
“Great technology starts with great people. We’re building a team that’s not just talented, but aligned in purpose and vision.”
Loay ElbasyouniCEO, Founder
Loay Elbasyouni is a pioneering engineer, entrepreneur, and technology leader with extensive experience in aerospace and AI-driven autonomous systems. He is widely recognized for his crucial role in the design and development of NASA’s Mars Ingenuity Helicopter, the first aircraft to achieve powered flight on another planet. With a career spanning startups and major corporations, Loay has led teams in cutting-edge projects, including the electrification of Ford’s first electric vehicle and the avionics system for Blue Origin’s rockets.
As the founder and CEO of AstraQua, Loay is driving advancements in AI and next-generation intelligent systems. AstraQua focuses on pushing the boundaries of AI and data-driven technologies, with applications across aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. AstraQua is pioneering AI advancements that will seamlessly integrate into critical industries, shaping a more intelligent and efficient future. With the next generation of AI, where computational power is higher while energy consumption is lower, these advancements will unlock possibilities beyond what was ever imagined, taking humanity to places once thought unreachable.
Loay’s expertise in adaptive AI computing and intelligent system design positions AstraQua at the forefront of innovation. With AI rapidly transforming industries, Loay is at the forefront of driving innovation that will define the next technological era. His leadership extends beyond engineering, as he actively mentors startups and speaks globally about the future of AI and technology.
In addition to his technical achievements, Loay serves on the advisory board for the University of California, Riverside, and actively engages in public speaking to share his knowledge and inspire future engineers and entrepreneurs. He has also received several industry recognitions for his contributions to aerospace and AI-driven innovation.
Kosta Varnavas is a veteran engineer with over 30 years of experience designing high-performance computing systems for space missions, autonomous vehicles, and extreme environments. At AstraQua, he leads system architecture and FPGA development for autonomous intelligence platforms that power exploration across sea, land, and space.
Kosta’s career spans some of the most advanced aerospace programs in the world. At Blue Origin, he led the design of the lunar lander engine controller—developing fault-tolerant systems that pushed the boundaries of safe, autonomous propulsion. At NASA, he architected resilient computing platforms for satellite missions and deep-space avionics, winning multiple internal awards for innovation, including Principal Investigator honors for advanced onboard communication systems.
His portfolio includes the development of Software Defined Radios launched into orbit, full-stack transceivers for FASTSAT-01, and next-generation microprocessor systems for critical avionics. What sets Kosta apart is his deep specialization in real-time embedded systems and radiation-tolerant FPGA design—a discipline essential for operating in the unforgiving vacuum of space or deep-sea pressure zones.
A lifelong systems thinker and hands-on builder, Kosta holds patents in digital space communication and has contributed to publications and technical books on system health management and fault-tolerant computing. His educational background includes a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Physics from Christian Brothers College and graduate work in Electrical Engineering.
Today, Kosta applies his unmatched experience to helping AstraQua build the next generation of autonomous, intelligent machines—enabling swarms of drones and robots to explore environments once beyond human reach.
Matthew Ramirez is a systems and flight test engineer with a diverse background spanning software, controls, and intelligent systems integration. Over his career, he has contributed to complex, mission-critical programs at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Virgin Galactic, and Supernal, gaining hands-on experience in flight controls, avionics design, and applied AI.
At AstraQua, Matthew draws on his multidisciplinary engineering and aviation background to help develop reliable, data-driven software that powers real-time insight and decision-making in complex environments. His work bridges the gap between physical systems and digital intelligence, ensuring that AstraQua’s technology performs seamlessly in the field—where precision, safety, and adaptability matter most.