From UCLA to the Stars: Engineering Alumnus Leads U.S. Space Force’s Arctic Satellite Program

Adam Provinchain

Courtesy of Adam Provinchain

Adam Provinchain pictured at the Los Angeles Air Force Base next to a sign for the launch of the Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization’s payload last August aboard Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission he oversaw.

Oct 15, 2024

UCLA Samueli Newsroom

When Adam Provinchain ’14 first set foot on UCLA’s campus as a 17-year-old freshman, he never imagined that one day he’d be leading a satellite communications project for the United States Space Force. Now, as chief engineer of its Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization (EPS-R) program, Provinchain plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure communications in some of the world’s most challenging regions. 

Recently, Provinchain oversaw the launch of the EPS-R payload aboard Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), a partnership with the Scandinavian country aimed at providing reliable broadband coverage to the polar regions. The momentous occasion, which took place on a foggy night at Vandenberg Space Force Base, marked a career milestone for the UCLA engineering graduate. 

“It was surreal,” Provinchain said. “The fog prevented us from seeing the rocket, but hearing the rumble and seeing the streak of light across the sky made it all feel real. I couldn’t believe how far I’d come.” 

Provinchain’s journey to the U.S. Space Force — a branch of the Armed Services established in December 2019 under the Department of Air Force — began long before the ASBM launch. Growing up, he always had an innate curiosity for how things worked. “I loved taking things apart and putting them back together,” he said. His passion for problem-solving and his aptitude in math and physics eventually led him to the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, where he pursued a B.S. in mechanical engineering. 

At UCLA, Provinchain found not just an academic home but also a supportive community through the Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity (CEED) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). 

“The camaraderie, mentorship, and leadership opportunities from those two orgs changed me in ways I am still grateful for today,” Provinchain said. 

Recalling an incident when he and fellow CEED students argued over how to approach a homework assignment, Provinchain said that was the first time he felt like engineering was a team sport and students weren’t just individuals sinking or swimming — they were peers with different views, working together to solve a problem. 

“CEED gave me my first real taste of collegiate-level math and science,” he said. “But more importantly, it gave me a community — a group of peers who were there to help each other, root for each other and grow together.” 

His involvement in NSBE at UCLA also had a lasting impact, particularly on his skills in leadership and outreach. As the chapter’s pre-collegiate initiative chair, Provinchain organized events for more than 200 students from local middle schools, helping demystify STEM careers for young learners.

“That experience taught me the link between leadership and responsibility,” he said. “It wasn’t just about planning events — it was about making an impact.” 

“Mentorship is important, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds,” Adam Provinchain said. “CEED and NSBE helped me realize I wasn’t alone in the engineering world, and I want to help current students feel the same.”

After graduating in 2014, Provinchain spent nearly a year finding the right opportunity in industry, eventually landing a position as a production engineer at skincare company Hydrafacial. In 2019, he took on a product-improvement engineer role at Bird Global Inc., the company behind the ubiquitous shared scooters. But when the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass layoffs in 2020, Provinchain found himself at a crossroads. 

His younger sister, who worked for the U.S. Space Force, suggested he apply for an engineering role. Though he hadn’t initially considered working in defense, the allure of working on satellites and the stability of a government position intrigued him. He joined the U.S. Space Force in 2021 and was assigned to the EPS-R program at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Initially tasked with handling cybersecurity projects, Provinchain transitioned to system engineering, integration and testing — areas where he quickly proved his expertise. 

Over the next two years Provinchain climbed the ranks, taking on increasing responsibility for EPS-R’s system engineering and testing efforts. By the time of the ASBM launch, he had become a critical leader in the project, overseeing everything from risk analysis to operational acceptance. 

The launch was a key milestone for the U.S. Space Force, marking the culmination of years of work by an international team with the mission of providing secure, reliable communications in the Arctic, an area that had long been underserved by traditional satellite networks. 

Provinchain’s role focused on testing, verifying and coordinating the EPS-R system for its eventual operational acceptance by the U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense. Coordinating within the U.S. Space Force, and between prime contractor Northrop Grumman and various government agencies, proved to be a major challenge, but one that Provinchain relished. 

“I’ve had to learn how to bring together all the moving parts — who will operate the system, who signs off on test plans, who maintains it,” he said. “It has made me a better communicator and presenter.” 

Following multiple delays, the ASBM launch last August was a seminal event for Provinchain and his team. 

“Standing at the viewing party, I felt like I was holding my breath and waiting to exhale,” he said. “When the rocket finally took off, it was like we could all breathe again.” 

Despite his demanding career, Provinchain remains closely connected to UCLA Samueli. He has supported CEED and the Women in Engineering at UCLA — both as a donor and a mentor.

“Mentorship is important, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds,” Provinchain said. “CEED and NSBE helped me realize I wasn’t alone in the engineering world, and I want to help current students feel the same.” 

Reflecting on his journey from UCLA to the U.S. Space Force, Provinchain says he feels proud of what he has achieved and is excited for what lies ahead. To him, there is always more to do, more to learn and more ways to make an impact. 

His advice to aspiring engineers is simple: stay curious and open to new opportunities. “You may not end up where you expected, but engineering is broad, and there are applications everywhere — even all the way in space,” he said.

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