GlobalData research has found the top influencers in aerospace tech based on their performance and engagement online. Using research from GlobalData’s Influencer platform, Aerospace Technology has named ten of the most influential people and companies in aerospace tech on Twitter during Q3 2020.

Biggest influencers in aerospace tech: The top ten in Q3 2020 

1. Isaac Alexander (@jetcitystar)

Isaac Alexander is the chief editor of the Jet City Star blog, where he covers news and information on aerospace and aviation. He previously served as aircraft engine mechanic for the US Navy. He worked as the powerplant mechanic on the GE F404 and F414 engines of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Boeing F/A-18E/F Hornet.

Alexander previously co-founded and served as the director of publicity for the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival.

Twitter followers: 16,856

GlobalData influencer score: 100

2. Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow)

Spaceflight Now is a website providing news on space exploration to a global audience. The site covers news on robotic, commercial, state-owned and commercial space launches. It also produces the programme – This Week in Space, apart from offering live streaming of prominent space launches from across the world. 

The website has an employee base of ten and offers bonus content for subscription members.

Twitter followers: 426,961

GlobalData influencer score: 79

3. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy)

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is a premier space launch complex for government and commercial missions located in Florida, US. It has the distinction of launching the first Americans into space, apart from sending the first humans to the Moon in 1969.

Kennedy is the base for NASA’s Launch Service Program, which is used to launch robotic missions and satellites to explore the universe. The centre also partners with the International Space Station to support the earth orbiting laboratory in its operations.

Twitter followers: 1,863,359

GlobalData influencer score: 69

4. NASA SLS (@NASA_SLS)

NASA Space Launch System (SLS) is a launch vehicle powerful enough to send the Orion spacecraft and cargo to the Moon in a single mission. The vehicle is flexible and provides additional payload mass and energy. It can support new opportunities such as robotic missions to other planets including Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.

The first SLS rocket to being developed for launching the Artemis I lunar mission, which is part of NASA’s Artemis programme aimed at exploring the Moon.

Twitter followers: 262,403

GlobalData influencer score: 58

5. International Space Station (@Space_Station)

International Space Station (ISS) is NASA’s handle providing latest news and updates from the space station located in low Earth orbit 250 miles above ground. The US portion of ISS, which was established in collaboration with 15 nations, was selected as the national laboratory by the American government in 2005.

The space laboratory can also be accessed by US government institutions and private sector firms. It is managed by the Center for the Advancement for Science in Space, under an agreement signed with NASA.

Twitter followers: 3,887,092

GlobalData influencer score: 58

6. Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) 

Jim Bridenstine is a representative for the First District of Oklahoma at the US House of Representatives. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Bridenstine’s areas of expertise are economic freedom, national security and constitutional integrity. He previously served in the US Navy as Lieutenant Commander where he was part of combat missions in the Middle East region.

Twitter followers: 257,313

GlobalData influencer score: 56

7. Tim Robinson (@RAeSTimR)

Tim Robinson is the chief editor of AEROSPACE, the main magazine of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The society is a flagship organisation striving for the development of the aerospace community and advancement of aeronautical science.

Robinson specialises in environment science, transportation, and travel and has appeared on BBC, CNN, and Irish Times. He covers various air shows including the biannual Farnborough Air Show, which is the most coveted event in the international aerospace industry.

Twitter followers: 23,080

GlobalData influencer score: 55

8. Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower)

Jon Ostrower is the chief editor of The Air Current, a website providing news and business insights on the aviation industry. Previously, he served in various capacities at top global media houses including CNN and the Wall Street Journal, reporting on the aviation sector and global aerospace industry.

Ostrower has also worked as editor at FlightGlobal, a website covering aviation and aerospace news, and Flight International Magazine, an aerospace focussed monthly magazine.

Twitter followers: 91,560

GlobalData influencer score: 54

9. AIAA (@aiaa)

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is a technical society comprising 30,000 engineers and scientists from 100 countries across the globe. The organisation is involved in multiple activities including book publishing, writing technical journals and technical papers and convening annual forums on the sector.

Founded in 1963, AIAA provides a platform to global aerospace experts for exchange of ideas and insights on the industry.

Twitter followers: 24,334

GlobalData influencer score: 54

10. NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall)

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center located in Alabama is renowned for its proven expertise in space systems, science and technology and propulsion. Marshall has been serving NASA and the US for the past 60 years by providing the most significant propulsion systems, latest technologies and path breaking research projects and space solutions.

The space centre has been a key contributor to NASA’s space programmes including the Apollo mission to the Moon.

Twitter followers: 388,561

GlobalData influencer score: 52