From Ska to Space: One Eagle’s Unconventional Journey to a Dream Career

With roots in music and a lifelong passion for space, the story of Charlie Krone is a harmonious blend of rock and resilience. His education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been pivotal in launching his career in the commercial space industry, proving how diverse experiences can culminate in remarkable employability.

At Spire Global, a premier space-to-cloud data and analytics company, Krone contributes to a mission of harnessing space's power to address Earthly challenges. From refining weather forecasts to bolstering global trade and security, Spire operates one of the world's largest satellite constellations, delivering advanced data and analytics across numerous industries.

An Actual Space Oddity

Krone's fascination with space ignited in childhood when his mother, an employee at Bell and Howell, brought home a signed moon map from a stranger she met at an airport. That stranger turned out to be Neil Armstrong.

Despite his early ambition to study astrophysics at MIT, family and friends steered Krone to focus on his musical talent. After earning a degree in classical trombone performance from Indiana University, he toured with the rock band he joined his junior year. Following his marriage in 1996, he joined the United States Air Force Band.

He enjoyed his days with the third-wave ska band Johnny Socko, sharing the stage with famous 1990s acts such as No Doubt and Veruca Salt. However, he eventually sought more stable employment, transitioning to work in consumer audio distribution and marketing software.

A Leap of Faith

In 2022, a heartfelt conversation with his wife rekindled Krone's long-held dream of working in the space industry. Realizing the need for specialized education, he explored several opportunities and ultimately chose Embry-Riddle for its Master of Space Operations degree. He connected with Dr. Andy Aldrin, the program coordinator, whose extensive experience in the space industry greatly enriched Krone's educational journey. He graduated from the program in 2024.

“The Space Operations program is excellent because it focuses on practical aspects of space operations and provides experience that is invaluable,” Krone says. “The faculty is top-notch, and they provide well-rounded coverage of everything from satellite communications to space law.”

Krone particularly appreciates the business focus of the commercial space program. “It’s a big chunk of the syllabus. I had to develop a space business of my choice for one class and analyze the cost-effectiveness of rocket reusability for another.”

Landing at Spire Global

At Spire Global, Krone manages customer-specific satellite missions in the space services division. As a customer success engineer, he oversees the integration, launch and operation of clients' satellites. This role demands a comprehensive understanding of both technical and business aspects of satellite operations, highlighting the unique value of Krone's diverse skill set.

“Once the satellites are launched, I am the customer’s technical support for the life of the mission, which could be years. It’s a great opportunity to develop relationships and watch the great things they are doing unfold.”

He finds joy in seeing the successful transmission of data from satellites to ground stations, ensuring clients receive valuable insights from their missions. He is particularly excited about innovative projects involving space debris tracking and remediation.

Despite the demands of his role, Krone also supports his wife’s political career; she recently won a city council seat in Indianapolis. Her encouragement was instrumental in his decision to return to school and pursue his space industry dreams, even if it meant frequent travel between Washington, D.C., and home.

Optimistic about future collaborations with fellow graduates, Krone notes, “Graduates of Embry-Riddle’s Space Operations program are highly sought after by employers in the aerospace industry.”

With a clear focus on furthering Spire's mission and the broader space industry, Krone remains dedicated to his professional growth. His journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to follow one’s dreams and that an unconventional path can lead to extraordinary destinations.