Mission control for this exploration is directed by James Fellenbaum. He joined the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra during the 2006-2007 season as a guest conductor before becoming the KSO's resident conductor in 2008. His duties with the KSO include serving as cover conductor for the KSO's subscription series and conducting Community, Pops, and Young People's Concerts. In addition, Maestro Fellenbaum has been the Director of Orchestras for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville beginning in the Fall of 2003. Since 2010, Maestro Fellenbaum has also served as the Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras.

In May 2018, Maestro Fellenbaum was named Artistic Director and Conductor of the Brevard Philharmonic (NC), with his first season occurring during the 2018-2019 season. He has conducted orchestras nationally and internationally, including recent guest conducting engagements with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic (PA), Springfield Symphony (MA), Asheville Symphony (NC), Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Orange County Symphony, American Youth Philharmonic, the Symphony of the Mountains, the Satu Mare State Philharmonic, Sinfonia Bucharest Orchestra of Romania, and the Russe Philharmonic and Vidin Philharmonic of Bulgaria. Maestro Fellenbaum was invited to the 2006 First International Gennady Rozhdestvensky Conductors Competition, where he was a top 5 finalist out of 112 conductors from 26 countries. 

Maestro Fellenbaum holds a Bachelor of Music in violoncello performance from James Madison University in Virginia and holds a double Master of Music in violoncello performance and orchestral conducting from Northwestern University.