From Satellites to Saxophones: Meet RPO Spacewagon

The year was 2023. The Astroscale U.S. holiday party was in full swing, complete with a jazz band to provide the music. Senior Guidance and Navigation Control Engineer Mark “Muk” Muktoyuk turned to Engineers Arielle Cohen and Ryan Kramlich to propose a bold idea: “During their break, let’s borrow their instruments and hit the stage.”

To everyone’s surprise – including their own -- the trio pulled off an impromptu performance. Their success sparked eager conversations with colleagues who also played instruments. Soon after, RPO Spacewagon was born!

Comprised of more than 10 employees, ranging from early- to mid-career engineers, RPO Spacewagon is taking “team building” and “collaboration” to a new level.

[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://astroscale-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/RPOSpacewagon.mp4" poster="https://astroscale-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/RPO-SpaceWagon.jpg"][/video]

RPO Spacewagon: Explained

Curious about the name? RPO Spacewagon is a nod to the classic rock band REO Speedwagon. “Jeff Schloemer [director of engineering] initially suggested ‘RPO Speedwagon,’” said Muk. “Then Calvin Murphy [mechanical engineer] added ‘Space’ to complete the name.”

RPO – rendezvous and proximity operations technology -- is at the center of what we provide customers here at Astroscale U.S. As such, it was only fitting that it worked its way into our band name!

Meet the Band

Right now, RPO Spacewagon has 11 members – each participating on an informal rotating schedule based on availability. They’re as follows:

1. Arielle Cohen, Sr. Flight Software Engineer: Keyboard and vocals

2. Sanomi Croos-Dabrera, GNC Engineer: Guitar and vocals

3. Ryan Kramlich, Sr. GNC Engineer: Guitar and bass

4. Calvin Murphy, Mechanical Engineer: Bass and vocals

5. Trevor Barth, Systems Engineer: Drums, guitar, and vocals

6. Eli Kopp-Devol, Docking Team Lead: Drums and guitar

7. Luke Beasley, Sr. Systems Engineer: Guitar

8. John Oberlies, Systems Engineer: Guitar and vocals

9. John Martinez, GNC Engineer: Saxophone and horns

10. Jacob Evans, Flight Software Engineer: Trumpet

11. Mark Muktoyuk, Sr. GNC Systems Engineer: Drums, vocals, and guitar

Striking the Right Chord: Collaboration Through Music

Being part of RPO Spacewagon isn’t just about channeling a love for performing — it’s also a fun and unexpected way to strengthen workplace collaboration. Engineering spacecraft is no small task, and it’s not uncommon for team members to get so focused on their projects that they miss meeting with colleagues outside of their immediate team.

The band brings these colleagues together, providing valuable facetime they might not have gotten otherwise. This camaraderie extends into their day job, which makes it easier to work together or get help when dealing with challenges or roadblocks.

Creativity and Authenticity in Action

In an industry where precision is key, RPO Spacewagon offers a rare chance to experiment and take risks. While it’s important to rely on logic and functions when plotting how to dock with an unprepared spacecraft, creative thinking can lend itself to more robust problem-solving. These skills are especially useful when our engineers are faced with tricky problems and need a solution.

Participating in the band also encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work. By channeling their passion for music into a shared experience that everyone at Astroscale U.S. can enjoy, RPO Spacewagon shows that authenticity isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a value we truly stand by.

What’s Next for RPO Spacewagon?

So far, the band has performed at company events, a Flashjam session, and a couple spontaneous collaborations with live musicians. When it comes to what’s next, the group has a few gigs in mind: band nights at bars, open mics, and the like.

Want to know when they’re performing next? Follow Astroscale U.S. on LinkedIn and X to stay up to date.