Aexa Tech CEO Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca Presents Breakthrough AI and Holographic Innovations at DEFCON 33

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Aexa Tech CEO Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca Presents Breakthrough AI and Holographic Innovations at DEFCON 33

Las Vegas, NV — Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace LLC and Aexa Tech, Aexa Tech CEO Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca Unveils AI-Powered Holographic Communication at DEFCON 33

Las Vegas, NV — Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace LLC and Aexa Tech, revealed breakthrough advances in AI-powered holographic communication at DEFCON 33, one of the world’s most recognized cybersecurity conferences.

Dr. De La Peña is known for leading the first-ever off-planet holographic teleportation to the International Space Station with NASA. At DEFCON 33, he introduced HoloConnect AI, a device-agnostic, real-time holographic system that works even in offline, air-gapped, and contested environments.

The presentation showed how AI holographic agents can transform cybersecurity, telemedicine, and mission-critical operations. These agents create a lifelike presence without the delays and limitations of traditional video calls. As a result, they can connect people across continents or even in space while maintaining secure, low-bandwidth performance.

“In a time when cybersecurity threats evolve daily, innovation means combining immersive presence with resilient AI,” said Dr. De La Peña. “With our technology, you can be ‘there’ instantly and securely, anywhere in the world—or beyond.”

The talk also highlighted Aexa’s partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and leading commercial companies. Moreover, it explained how Aexa’s innovations are influencing fields from space exploration to healthcare and defense operations.

About Aexa Tech & Aexa Aerospace
Aexa Aerospace and Aexa Tech are leaders in holographic and AI-driven communication. Their flagship platform, HoloConnect, is already in use in space missions, defense operations, healthcare, and enterprise settings. The company has earned NASA’s JSC Director’s Innovation Award and the Exceptional Software Award. Aexa continues to push the limits of remote presence and secure collaboration.

Aexa Announces new CTO

🚀 Aexa Aerospace Names Nathan Ream as New Chief Technology Officer

Leader Behind Off-Planet Holoportation and HoloConnector AI to Drive Next Tech Era

HOUSTON, TX — Aexa Aerospace is proud to announce the promotion of Nathan Ream to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective immediately.

A Proven Innovator in Space Technology

Nathan joined Aexa in May 2017. Since then, he has played a key role in many of Aexa’s most groundbreaking accomplishments. He helped lead the first off-planet holoportation session with the International Space Station. He also helped develop HoloConnector AI, the world’s first autonomous, device-agnostic holographic agent for use in both space and Earth-based missions.

A Vision for the Future

“Nathan is a rare kind of engineer,” said Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, President and CEO of Aexa Aerospace. “He doesn’t just write code—he brings science fiction to life. His leadership helped turn holographic teleportation from a dream into reality. There’s no one better to lead our tech vision as we move toward the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”

Leading the Next Chapter

As CTO, Nathan will oversee all of Aexa’s technology strategy and innovation. He will focus on immersive communication tools, offline AI agents, and low-bandwidth XR systems. These tools will be critical for future NASA missions, defense operations, and industry applications on Earth.

“I’m honored and excited to step into this new role,” said Nathan Ream. “Working at Aexa has always felt like standing on the edge of possibility. Now, I get to help define what comes next—and we’re just getting started.”

About Aexa Aerospace. Aexa Aerospace is a NASA-awarded leader in immersive technologies for space, defense, and remote collaboration. The company’s HoloConnect system enabled the first two-way holoportation with the International Space Station and is now evolving into Holonaut AI, an offline-capable holographic agent designed for deep space autonomy.

Dr. Fernando De La Peña Named 2025 University of Phoenix Luminary

Aexa Aerospace is proud to announce that its CEO and Founder, Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, has been named a 2025 University of Phoenix Alumni Luminary. This annual honor is awarded to only 76 alumni worldwide for their leadership, innovation, and positive impact.

Leading Space Innovation with Purpose

Dr. De La Peña leads the team behind HoloConnect, the groundbreaking platform that made possible the first off-planet holographic teleportation to the International Space Station in 2021. That achievement marked a bold shift in the future of immersive communication.

“This award isn’t just about the past,” said Dr. De La Peña. “It’s fuel for what we’re building next.”

NASA recognized his leadership with both the Director’s Innovation Award and the Exceptional Software Award. Under his guidance, Aexa supports U.S. federal agencies, global enterprises, and healthcare providers with immersive, real-time technologies.

A Recognition of Global Impact

More importantly, this Luminary award reflects a lifelong mission to connect humanity through innovation. Dr. De La Peña continues to inspire technologists across industries and cultures.

Learn more about the University of Phoenix Alumni Luminary Program.

To demonstrate this mission in action, read about Aexa’s HoloConnect demonstration aboard the ISS.

In summary, this recognition reinforces Fernando De La Peña’s role as a global leader in space, AI, and immersive communication. The 2025 Luminary award is not just a title—it’s a tribute to vision, courage, and human connection.

About Aexa Aerospace
Aexa Aerospace is a NASA-award-winning technology company specializing in immersive communication, holography, and AI-driven collaboration tools. Its flagship platform, HoloConnect, enables real-time holographic interaction and presence—connecting astronauts, doctors, engineers, and leaders across physical and virtual spaces. Aexa supports government, commercial, and healthcare clients with cutting-edge solutions that redefine human interaction in mission-critical environments.

Aexa Aerospace Recognized Among Top Defense Innovators

A gray F/A-18 fighter jet on a runway, featured in Built In’s article about top defense companies in Houston, including Aexa Aerospace.
Aexa Aerospace joins the ranks of Houston’s top defense innovators in Built In’s feature, standing alongside leaders shaping the future of national security and aerospace advancement.

Houston, TX — Aexa Aerospace, a leader in immersive technologies and holographic communications for space and defense, has been named one of Houston’s top defense companies in a recent feature by Built In. The article, titled “10 Defense Companies in Houston to Know”, highlights Aexa’s pioneering work in augmented and virtual reality solutions that support NASA missions and private aerospace initiatives.

Published on May 29, 2025, the article showcases the strategic importance of Houston in the national defense and aerospace landscape, with Aexa Aerospace standing alongside major players like KBR, Intuitive Machines, The Aerospace Corporation, and Venus Aerospace.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Built In as part of Houston’s vibrant defense innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca, CEO of Aexa Aerospace. “This recognition reflects our team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—from astronaut training tools to advanced holographic communications that enhance mission performance in space and defense environments.”

Aexa Aerospace has earned national and international attention for its groundbreaking holographic teleportation technology, which has been used aboard the International Space Station and in high-profile NASA demonstrations. Its solutions are designed to improve remote collaboration, simulation training, and operational support—critical needs in both civilian and military sectors.

The full article can be viewed here:
🔗 https://builtin.com/articles/defense-companies-houston