Carlos Espejel is a trailblazer in space resources utilization, bringing over a decade of expertise in mining and space engineering to his current role as CEO of Space RS, a company dedicated to advancing the cislunar economy through innovative resource technologies. Previously, as the Space Resources Utilization (SRU) Lead at Ispace, Inc., he headed the In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Working Group, driving the development of lunar resource extraction strategies, technology roadmaps, and industry partnerships. During his tenure at Ispace, he pioneered the Lunar Ore Reserve Standards (LORS), a globally recognized framework for reporting space resources and reserves, cementing his influence in the field.

Espejel’s career spans both terrestrial and extraterrestrial resource domains. Before joining Ispace, he spent 11 years in the mining industry, working as a Strategic Mine Planning Engineer for leading companies like Glencore and collaborating with Anglo American and BHP through CRC ORE. His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Mining Engineering from the University of Queensland, a Master’s in Mining Engineering from UNSW, a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from the University of Queensland, and a postdoctoral fellowship in ISRU conducted in Luxembourg with Ispace, UNSW, and the Luxembourg National Research Fund.

A key contributor to the European Space Agency’s PROSPECT mission, Espejel served as a science team member and lead for ProsPA ISRU prospecting investigations, enhancing lunar resource assessment capabilities. His work bridges Earth’s mining heritage with the future of space exploration, aligning perfectly with Resources LUNARIS 2025’s mission. As an organizer of this groundbreaking seminar, Espejel leverages his visionary leadership to position South America as a hub for space innovation, fostering a sustainable environmental economy that connects the northern and southern hemispheres of the Americas.