AROSE (Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth) is pleased to announce the appointment of former NASA executive Jason Crusan to the position of Chief Executive Officer, commencing 1 November 2025.
The new appointment follows the retirement of AROSE’s inaugural CEO, Leanne Cunnold.
Mr Crusan is a globally recognised technology executive with more than 25 years’ leadership across the energy and space sectors.
At Woodside Energy, he served as Vice President for Technology and New Energy, leading global technology deployment across oil and gas production and operations, hydrogen and ammonia value chains, and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU).
Previously, Mr Crusan held multiple senior executive roles at NASA, including Director of Advanced Exploration Systems and Chief Technologist for Space Operations. He oversaw technology partnerships that delivered missions for first-of-kind measurement on the Moon and Mars, advanced a wide portfolio of technology to support human exploration, developed the first commercial human-rated module for the International Space Station, advanced in-space manufacturing capabilities, and the CubeSat Launch Initiative – enabling over 100 missions.
Mr Crusan led the development for NASA’s Lunar Gateway strategy and human lunar return architecture for the Artemis Program. He also established the US Government’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, which supports the expansion of open innovation and crowdsourcing across the US Government.
AROSE is an industry-led, not-for-profit consortium made up of leading minds and organisations. It was founded in 2020 from the vision of astronaut and former Deputy Administrator of NASA, Colonel Pamela Melroy, and former Head of Intelligent and Autonomous Systems at Woodside, Russell Potapinski.
AROSE was established to leverage existing remote operations expertise in the Australian resources sector, and catalyse knowledge transfer between terrestrial and off-Earth domains for the benefit of all industries.
AROSE Chair Deena Shiff said Mr Crusan would bring a wealth of senior experience to AROSE after his distinguished career at NASA and innovation leadership role at Woodside.
Jason is an ideal leader to fulfill AROSE’s ambitions to scale-up local innovation that is relevant in space and on Earth.
The Board is incredibly grateful for the important contribution that Leanne has made in establishing AROSE and building its global reputation during the last five years.
It is on those foundations that AROSE can build as it realises its ambitions to commercialise and scale- up new remote operations technologies.”
Deena Shiff
Ms Cunnold said it had been a privilege to serve as the inaugural CEO of AROSE.
The success of AROSE is built on collaboration and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated team, our members, and our collaboration partners for helping turn our co-founders’ vision into reality.”
Leanne Cunnold
Mr Crusan said it was an honour to join AROSE at such a pivotal time for Australia’s space and technology sectors.
AROSE uniquely bridges Earth and space – connecting the country’s deep operational capabilities in energy and resources with the challenges of sustainable exploration beyond our planet.
Our next chapter will be about translating Australia’s remote operations leadership into global commercial advantage – enabling new industries, new partnerships and new opportunities that benefit life on Earth and beyond.
We have the chance to help build entirely new commercial enterprises that draw on Australia’s ingenuity in communications, robotics, automation, and remote operations. Just as importantly, AROSE can continue to inspire and prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators who will carry these capabilities into the future economy.”
Jason Crusan
Mr Crusan will be based at AROSE’s head office in Perth, Western Australia.
