About the Host
Daniel Penaranda
Host of The Final Frontier Podcast
Daniel Penaranda is a 24 year old hyper-driven individual with a degree and passion in tackling The Final Frontier of space. Daniel is currently located in the heart of the space coast residing in the quaint beach town of Indialantic, Florida. He graduated in December of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and recently graduated in August of 2021 with a Graduate Certificate in Commercial Space Studies which was taught by the highly recognized Dr. Andy Aldrin, Dr. Greg Autry, Dr. Christopher Welch, and Dr. Angie Bukley.
After earning his degree in Aerospace Engineering, Daniel served as a podcast developer and producer, eventually making his way back to the space industry to further invest in his education and passion. By taking graduate level courses in Commercial Space Studies, Daniel has fully well rounded his expertise in the areas of entrepreneurship, communications, leadership and space, creating the perfect professional dynamic that has resulted in the conception of this show.
From his experience in communicating with high level executives in his sales, business development, and podcasting roles, Daniel has developed a fascination with entrepreneurship and leadership. His desire to integrate those interests with his passion for space has led to the development of this show. His aim is to bring a fresh perspective to his conversations with the guest on the show and uncover where the space economy will be heading in the future.
The podcast platform will be used as a virtual networking group where you will be introduced to individuals that will take your business to the next level.
Daniel's Work History
Daniel served as a Sales Representative for Tomahawk Robotics. He was hired full time after completing two successful internships with the company.
Tomahawk Robotic has developed groundbreaking technology and the world’s first robotic IoT control system for defense and enterprise customers in the UAS/UGV and Assistive Robotic industries. They offer the world’s best multi-domain robotic control software that provides the same user interface and intuitive manipulation methods across dissimilar robotic platforms.
They are a leading innovator of unmanned systems control solutions; committed to driving enterprise adoption of robotics by reducing cost, optimizing system performance and improving ease of use through intuitive, user-centric design.
Daniel’s responsibilities included;
– Fostering and establishing strategic partnerships and collaboration in the Defense/Security, Oil, Gas, Mining, Agriculture, and Assistive Robotics industries.
– Researching possible business developments and utilize CRM softwares to have a clear and concise sales pipeline with an organized record of contacts.
– Monitor interaction and responsiveness to customer outreach through multiple mediums as well as providing marketing / social media analytics.
– Perform outreach calls to potential prospects in the Defense/Security, Oil, Gas, Mining, Agriculture, and Assistive Robotics industries.
– Trained incoming Sales Interns in associated tasks such as prospect research, CRM utilization, understanding the company background & capabilities, and call logistics.
– Managed the company’s social media accounts including Linkedin & Twitter. Creating content for their social accounts as well as social media outreach. Bringing thousands of followers to both accounts as a result.
– Managed Goggle Ads account and laid a functioning infrastructure to enable future growth.
– Source & prospected thousands of contacts for the company and managed them within the CRM software.
– Tripled company website visitation during his tenure at Tomahawk Robotics.
– Assisted in developing proposals for government RFIs & SBIR programs.
Daniel served as the show’s Producer and Business Development Manager. He was recruited and hired onto the team in 2020.
The DEAL FLOW Show brought together people within the capital markets such as venture capital, growth capital, private equity, investment banking, legal, and more. It served as a virtual networking group for the deal making world and it featured renowned guests which included celebrities, athletes, and ultra high net-worth individuals. The guest of the show would showcase their expertise during their interviews and share their secrets & strategies of their deal making process.
Some featured guests included Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, The BackStreet Boy’s Howie D, Founder of E! Larry Namer, CIO of Cresset Capital managing $2 Billion AUM Jack Ablin, Former Cleveland Browns Defensive Lineman Corey Jackson, Jay Soave with over $15 Billion in Real Estate Transactions, and Founder of Going Public Darren Marble.
Daniel’s responsibilities included;
– Producing and serving as the team lead for the show.
– Manage a multidisciplinary team which included sales, marketing, videography, and IT representatives through a mixture of consistent meetings, task settings, and schedule planning to meet company objectives.
– Recruited all high profile guests through cold calling, social media outreach, and guest recommendations for the show.
– Maintained guest relationships while also connecting them with complimentary connections for further business opportunities and strategic alliances.
– Syndicated the show on all podcasting platforms and on Youtube.
– Built and utilized email lists to maintain guest relationships and provide updates to listeners.
– Utilized CRM to maintain a clear and concise pipeline.
– Utilized online social media management tools to provide a consistent avenue of content for social accounts with the cooperation of the Director of Marketing.
Daniel's School History
The undergraduate curriculum for Daniel’s Aerospace Engineering degree at Florida Tech presented and equipped him with the fundamentals of modern Aerospace Engineering. During his freshman and sophomore years, emphasis was placed on mathematics and physics, while aerospace engineering was introduced through a sequence of three courses. HIs sophomore and junior years directed his learning toward the engineering sciences, including materials science, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. During the junior and senior years, the study became progressively centered on the specific issues facing practicing aerospace engineers, using the basic tools imparted during the first two years and applying them in the studies of aerodynamics, propulsions systems, aerospace structures and design projects. During the last two years these courses expanded Daniel’s knowledge in the fields of mechanics of solids, electric circuits, flight stability and control, and mission analysis. Laboratory experiences were essential in his education and these labs included physics, computers, materials, fluids, structures, and experimental aerodynamics.
The Commercial Space Studies program that Daniel attended was a space-focused, multidisciplinary program that is the only graduate-level certificate of its kind in the U.S.. It provided rigorous and practical training in the nuances of space finance, policy, management, technology, and entrepreneurship. This course was taught by the widely recognized Dr. Andy Aldrin, Dr. Greg Autry, Dr. Christopher Welch, and Dr. Angie Bukley. The Commercial Space Studies program was a major complement to his Aerospace Engineering degree, well rounding him with an in-depth understanding of the space economy at large, international space policy & law, and the tools necessary to partake in a space related entrepreneurial venture. The main courses included the Global Commercial Space Programs class which gives students the tools to become effective leaders in the commercial space sector through historical perspective, identifying key industry characteristics, and understanding business strategy and commercialization processes, and assessment of current enterprises. The Space Technology and System course which provides a broad overview of the fundamentals of space technology and its applications in space systems at a sufficient level for the management and assessment of technical programs. The Global Space Policy and Law course which provides students with a realistic simulation of a global policy event involving international governmental actors and major industry players. The Technological Entrepreneurship in Space course which provided a practical, interactive class that involves identifying high-impact, high-potential commercial opportunities including repeatable and scalable business models. Adding this knowledge in addition to his Aerospace Engineering degree as well as his experience in sales, business development, marketing, and communications makes Daniel a highly unique individual entering the industry.
The capstone of Daniel’s education was embodied in his aerospace engineering design project working on NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition which synthesized and focused elements from various disciplines into a design activity of current aerospace engineering interest. His team’s project was awarded Northrop Grumman’s Best in Show Case Award for Aerospace Engineering in 2019.
Daniel served as the project’s Excavation & Delivery Subsystem Lead. He performed trade studies to determine which configuration worked best to excavate regolith under NASA’s requirements and utilized an industry design manual for a bucket elevator as well as several published research papers on Lunar Regolith Excavation Systems to design and size the correct motor for the Excavation System. Projectile Motion calculations were used to determine the necessary RPM for the motor to deposit the collected regolith into the collection bin. The excavator was designed utilizing CREO and fully machined and manufactured by Daniel and the team utilizing Machine Shop Certifications 1 & 2.
To view the full CDR, reference the download button below.
Daniel competed in the Design Build Fly Competition. The Competition required the design and development of two RC planes. A larger plane is meant to carry the smaller inside of it and the smaller plane was meant to carry a payload. During the competition the RC plane is tested with an obstacle course that requires it to perform maneuvers. The year that Daniel and his team competed was the first year that the RC plane met the requirements of ‘proof of flight’ to actually compete in the competition.
Daniel was a part of the Propulsion team and assisted in general thrust calculations as well as testing the motors utilizing thrust stands to determine their realistic performances. Daniel was also a part of developing and manufacturing the engine mounts for the plane. With the team, Daniel assisted in manufacturing the aircraft and he personally monoKoted both planes.
To view the full CDR, reference the download button below.
Daniel presented at AIAA’s Regional Conference hosted at Marshall’s Spaceflight Center in Hunstville, Alabama. He presented a paper on utilizing Flexible Circuits to Monitor the Health of Astronauts to industry professionals and placed 3rd in his bracket.
To view the full manuscript, reference the download button below.
Daniel has been a cross country & track runner since High School. After performing well in high school, Daniel received an athletic scholarship to run varsity at Florida Institute of Technology. He competed in the 800m, 1500m, 3k, 3k Steeplechase, 5k, 8k, and 10k races. Daniel quit running varsity at the end of his Junior year to dedicated his time on his internship at Tomahawk Robotics and on his senior design project, NASA Robotic Mining Competition.
Daniel’s best times were;
– 800m: 1:59s
– 1500m: 4:05s
– 3000m: 9:18s
– 3000m Steeplechase: 9:42s
– 5k: 16:25s
– 8k: 26:26s
– 10k: 35:54s
Random teams were assigned to create the full design of a functional glider. The gliders were then constructed and flown in competition with other teams. Our team chose a NACA 4412 wing design because it still provided lift when the wing’s angle of attack was 0 degrees. Daniel was in charge of deciding what kind of rubber motor to use for the glider, perform calculations to estimate the range and endurance of the glider, create the motor mount for the glider, and measure the amount of thrust that the engine was providing for the glider.
To view the full CDR, reference the download button below.