Bio
Major Jeremy Kaczmarek is an Assistant Professor of Astronautics in the Department of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He currently teaches Astro 310: Introduction to Astronautics, Engr 443: Advanced Control Theory and Design, and is a faculty mentor for the FaclonSAT Capstone program.
Major Kaczmarek commissioned in 2012 following Basic Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (with a minor in Computer Science) from the University of Dayton, as well as Master of Science and a doctorate in Astronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
His career has spanned diverse operational, technical and academic roles. After serving as an Infrared Analyst and later Officer in Charge of the Scene-Based Infrared Trending team at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, he served as an Executive Officer for the Geospatial and Signatures Intelligence Group. Major Kaczmarek subsequently held several leadership and instructional roles at the Academy, including Senior Instructor and Lab Director. Following his time as Chief for Space and Missile Programs at Defense Contract Management Agency Space Enterprise and completion of Air Command and Staff College, he returned to the Academy in 2026, where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor.
Education
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala. (2026)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Astronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio (2023)
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala. (2018)
Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio (2017)
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio (2010)
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor, United States Air Force Academy, Colo. (2026 – Present)
Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2025-2026)
Chief, Space and Missile Programs, Defense Contract Management Agency, Sunnyvale, Calif. (2024-2025)
Director of Operations, Defense Contract Management Agency, Sunnyvale, Calif. (2023-2024)
Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (2020-2023)
Senior Instructor and Lab Director, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2019-2020)
Instructor and Executive Officer, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2018-2019)
Instructor of Astronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2017-2018)
Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (2015-2017
Executive Officer, Geospatial and Signatures Intelligence Group, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (2015-2015)
Officer in Charge, Scene-Based Infrared Trending, Persistent Infrared Analysis Squadron, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (2013-2015)
Advanced Infrared Analyst, Persistent Infrared Analysis Squadron, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (2012-2013)
Honors & Awards
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2025)
Joint Service Achievement Medal (2024)
Meritorious Service Medal (2020)
Air and Space Achievement Medal (2020)
Air and Space Commendation Medal (2015)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) and model predictive control
Publications
Kaczmarek, J., “Autonomous Multi-Phase Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking via Model Predictive Control,” Doctoral Dissertation, Air Force Institute of Technology (2023)
Kaczmarek, J. and Zagaris, C., “Autonomous Multi-phase Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking via Model Predictive Control,” 2023 IEEE Aerospace Conference Paper (2023)
Kaczmarek, J., “Analysis of Image Processing and Data Reduction for Space Situational Awareness Applications in CubeSats,” Master’s Thesis, Air Force Institute of Technology (2017)