Nov 2025 · Essay
Elon Musk & Genghis Khan in HR Execution
Parallels between meritocratic leadership across centuries; coined the “Genghis Khan of tech” note.
ReadAstropreneur
Building the bridge between space science and venture.
Mongolian-born Columbia astrophysics student and founder. From black hole imaging to rocketry and edtech, Todd blends research with execution to make humanity multi-planetary.
Developing systems that make long-term living and thriving in space inevitable.
See active researchT-REX · Founding team
Capturing the first real-time video of a black hole
Co-authoring a NASA NIAC-funded mission with Brown, Princeton, MIT, and JAXA partners. Designing VLBI satellites and quantum comms to stream Sagittarius A* in motion.
- $200K NASA NIAC Phase I grant
- Two-satellite VLBI architecture for ~35 μas resolution
- Consortium spanning Ivy labs and industry advisors
Columbia Rocketry · Propulsion
Hybrid engine R&D and thermal protection
Engineered ablative liners, DAQ workflows, and nozzle interfaces for a collegiate hybrid engine. Improved reliability to withstand 500 psi and pass static fires.
- Thermal liners and resin mixes for chamber protection
- DAQ with thermocouples for real-time erosion data
- Competition-ready hybrid engine platform
Experience
Unfolding through time
2025 · ONDO Space
Engineering Intern — Satellite Systems
Visit
2025 · ONDO Space
Engineering Intern — Satellite Systems
Supported low-cost satellite bus development; proposed AI + ArcGIS network planner to cut ground link costs, co-pitched to investors.
2025 · Columbia Rocketry
Propulsion/Mechanical Engineer
See work
2025 · Columbia Rocketry
Propulsion/Mechanical Engineer
Built ablative liners, DAQ, and nozzle interface for hybrid engine static fires; qualified for competition.
2024 · MARS-V
Design & Engineering Officer
MDRS
2024 · MARS-V
Design & Engineering Officer
Raised $5.8M commitments for a Mars analog; led EVA suit prototype tested at MDRS with UCCS collaborators.
2024 · HUR. EdTech
Founder & CEO
Platform
2024 · HUR. EdTech
Founder & CEO
Launched in 2 weeks; $30K/mo revenue in first quarter; provides mentorship and funding for Mongolian students.
2018–2024 · Trend Mart
Founder
Youth venture
2018–2024 · Trend Mart
Founder
Scaled teen-run retail/e-commerce to $800K+ revenue, 3 locations, 40+ employees; funded schooling and future projects.
Always · Piano & Beyond The Music
Performer & Organizer
Music
Always · Piano & Beyond The Music
Performer & Organizer
Performs piano; involved with Beyond the Music Festival to merge art and technology.
Updates & Publications
Latest moves
Sept 2025 · Research
T-REX Proposal (NASA NIAC)
Co-authored black hole video mission proposal; simulations for VLBI baselines and quantum comms.
Mission siteAug 2025 · Media
MICC Spotlight
Featured by Mongolia International Capital Corp. after internship on valuation and market insights.
See postBio snapshot
Mongolian-born astropreneur at Columbia
John Jay Scholar (top 0.03%), astrophysics major, philosophy + business focus. Built $800K+ in teen ventures, raised $5.8M for a Mars analog, and runs an edtech platform uplifting Mongolian students.
Astrophysics
Space systems
Startups
Philosophy
Research
Binary black hole dynamics at Columbia; exoplanet detection at Harvard-Smithsonian; lunar eclipse studies in Mongolia.
Ventures
T-REX (black hole video mission), HUR. EdTech (reach platform), Trend Mart ($800K revenue youth venture), Starry Tours (astro-tourism).
Awards
NASA NIAC team award, John Jay Scholar, Harvard SSP Excellence, AI Hackathon honorable mention.
Mongolian advantage
Beating giants with a nomad’s playbook.
Mongolia’s legacy: conquer the impossible with minimal resources. I carry that bias into startups—small teams, ruthless focus, constant learning, and terrain-aware strategy. The same instincts that guide herders across harsh landscapes guide my approach to space tech and venture.
Adaptability
Resourcefulness
Strategic risk