Andrew Phelps

Andy Phelps, P.E., F. ASCE, BCEE
CEO of Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) since inception in August 2019. Focused on a “bootstrap” startup using technology developed by the founders while at Los Alamos National Lab and preserving capital. This start-up focuses on delivering fission nuclear power to space. SpaceNukes has fission reactors ready for space and expects to fly their first reactor in 2026 and are lead for reactor design on the Air Force JETSON project which will deliver a fission reactors to cislunar space in 2029.
Prior to taking on this new start-up Andy worked for Bechtel for 40+ years in many roles in many locations. His experience is in nuclear, mining, civil, environmental, and construction business. His most recent Bechtel role was Principal Vice President and Manager Global Operations for Bechtel Mining and Metals based in Santiago, Chile and Brisbane, Australia. Direct reports included program managers and their respective teams including over 1,000 professionals and tens of thousands of craft and contractor personnel. 10 Mega Mining Projects with total value exceeding $30B successfully executed under Andy’s oversight.
Prior to moving to Bechtel’s mining business, Andy helped lead the restructuring of the Los Alamos National Lab as Associate Director when Bechtel and the University of California took over the management of this US national treasure in 2006.
Andy led Mississippi’s effort including rapid deployment and staffing a team of 3,000 to provide emergency housing to individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Andy worked closely with Governor Haley Barbour to house approximately 100,000 people in 3 months.
Andy was part of the team that led the restructuring of the British Nuclear Industry for the British Government Department of Trade and Industry. This included leading assessments of 20 nuclear sites including 39 reactor and 4 fuel reprocessing plants, estimating liabilities and hiring the initial 120 employees to create the team to contract this work to industry.
Andy was deputy manager for the US DOE Management and Integration project in Oak Ridge, TN. He oversaw 5 managers of projects, execution strategy, procurement, engineering and field functions for 3 complex US nuclear sites in 3 states.
Andy led the start-up of Bechtel’s environment business in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Concurrently he led the Saudi Government response to the world’s largest oil spill (11 million barrels) during Gulf War 1.
In 1990 Andy served in the Pentagon as a White House Fellow working as Special Assistant to the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. While in this capacity he led the first joint strategic plan for the combined services research and engineering helping focus DOD labs on greatest opportunities.
Andy was instrumental in the formation of Bechtel Environmental Company an internal start-up. His early career work including design and construction efforts on Nuclear Power Plants, Uranium Gas Centrifuge Plants, High Level radioactive waste repositories, and major infrastructure projects.
Andy served as a member of the Bechtel Group Project Management Committee and Ethics and Compliance Committee. He is a registered Professional Engineer in California and Tennessee and a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and has completed graduate business studies at Harvard, Kennedy School of Government and University of Tennessee. He was recently honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers with their highest recognition, OPAL lifetime achievement award. He was elected Honor Member of Chi Epsilon at the University of Tennessee for leading the University of Tennessee academic advisory board and currently serves on the Georgia Tech Civil and Environmental Engineering Academic Advisory Board.