Etop Francis Esen

Dr. Etop Esen was born on May 23, 1966 and departed this life on February 27th, 2021. He was born to Bassey Esen and Idorenyin Esen from Etinan in Nigeria. Dr. Etop Esen was an aerospace professional most recently working as a Commercial Innovation Manager for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, managers of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. Originally employed in the energy industry, Etop spent many years working for ConocoPhillips (in countries as far reaching as Kazakhstan, Norway, and France), and in recent years he resided in Houston, Texas. Etop held a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University.

Etop's work for the ISS National Lab included support of clients in many areas of technology development, and in collaboration with colleagues at NASA, he was able to advance projects in many areas of research and development. Some of the projects he supported included industry sustainability efforts, working with satellite launch and space debris projects, and supporting technology development programs aimed at advancing in-space computing and data processing. He also led the ISS National Lab collaboration with MassChallenge and the Boeing Technology in Space Prize, prospecting for new and promising opportunities for high- technology start-ups.

Beyond his professional accolades, Etop was a very talented self-taught musician and advocate for inclusion and diversity who served as an impactful mentor and role model. He was known to many as warm, smart, kind, fair, and unassuming. His wife used the phrase, “he was solid.” He loved God deeply. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Imeh Esen, and two sons, Ethan Esen and Aniekan Esen.

Etop will be forever missed, his memory treasured, and through his wife and children, his legacy strengthened.

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”