Saturday April 5th Speakers

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Chief Executive Officer, Space Foundation

As the CEO of Space Foundation, Heather Pringle is leading the world’s premier nonprofit advocate organization for the global space ecosystem. Founded in 1983, Space Foundation’s mission is to be the preeminent gateway for trusted information, lifelong education, and seamless collaboration for all people and organizations inspired by space, engaging in space exploration and growing space-to-Earth adjacent industries. Heather’s accomplishments as an officer, educator, innovator, and collaborator come from a 32-year career of global leadership and technical expertise with the U.S. Air Force. Her diverse experiences span the entire acquisition lifecycle from laboratory to field, including science and technology, international partner collaboration, installation and acquisition program management, budget analysis, and support to the nuclear enterprise. Above all, Heather’s passion for service is an asset to Space Foundation initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, technology innovation and partnerships. Most recently, Heather served as Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Simultaneously, Heather was the Technology Executive Officer, supporting both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Her responsibilities included formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio worth $3 billion that anticipated future warfighter needs, while promoting risk-taking and problem-solving across a 6,000-member government workforce. In this role, Heather developed a unique understanding of the connection between space and technology advancement for the betterment of life on Earth. As part of a talented and passionate team, she accelerated the discovery and development of solutions for Airmen and Guardians, pushed the boundaries of modern technology and improved the science for tomorrow. Heather also brings her own global perspective to Space Foundation, having developed and strengthened partnerships around the world. Her career has been marked by the ability to grow and strengthen partnerships with service branches, industry, academia and international allies, which cemented her conviction that collaboration is essential for the global space ecosystem to thrive. Placing a high value on education, Heather graduated in 1991 with a degree in Human Factors from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a Master of Arts in Engineering Psychology from University of Illinois in 1992. She subsequently returned to Illinois to complete her Doctorate in Philosophy, Engineering Psychology, in 2000. Heather benefited from a number of opportunities to further her professional development, including study abroad in southern France, leadership study at the University of North Carolina, and tours at both the Air Command and Staff College and National War College, which earned her master’s degrees in 2005 and 2011, respectively. Heather’s list of awards and decorations is equally noteworthy, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters. Outside her professional life, Heather recharges by supporting her youngest son’s passion for soccer, logging miles on the trails with her husband, and playing duets with her dad on a hand-me-down piano.

Senior Vice President Strategic and International Affairs, Space Foundation

As head of international affairs, Steve Eisenhart is principally responsible for the Space Foundation’s global strategy and relationships with international space agencies and organizations, foreign embassies and U.S. organizations involved with global space programs. He is directly responsible for the program development and integration of key Space Foundation activities including the annual Space Symposium. He also supervises the Space Foundation’s government affairs activities in the Washington, D.C., office including relationships with government agencies, other space advocacy organizations and associations and corporate interests. Since joining the Space Foundation in 1996, Eisenhart has had a broad range of responsibilities, serving as senior vice president of strategic communications, director of communications and public affairs and communications manager. Eisenhart was a military public affairs official and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Executive Director, SGAC

Nikol Koleva is a dynamic professional with a passion for merging psychology and space exploration. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where she leads initiatives to engage and empower young professionals in the space sector.  Prior to her current role, Nikol was working at the World Space Week Association (WSWA) as an intern and progressed to leadership roles including Communications and Media Director and External Relations Manager. In these capacities, she enhanced communication strategies, forged media partnerships, and represented WSWA at global forums like the UN COPUOS and IAF-related activities. During her academic career, she focused on researching the Overview Effect among astronauts and exploring their experiences using qualitative approaches. Her interest led her to investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of virtual reality (VR) in replicating the Overview Effect for her Master's work. Nikol holds a BA in Psychology from City University of London and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Webster University.

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator Science Mission Directorate, NASA HQ

Dr. Mark Clampin is the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he provides executive leadership, overall planning, direction, and management of NASA’s $7B science portfolio focused on the scientific exploration of Earth, the Sun, solar system, universe, and biological and physical sciences. He brings ~35 years of leadership in program, project management, and strategic planning, and the development of space-flight hardware for astrophysics research. He fosters partnerships with other government agencies and collaborates with commercial and international partners to leverage synergistic investments and advance NASA science. Until August 2022, Dr. Clampin was the Director of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate (SED) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), where he led the Astrophysics, Solar System, Heliophysics and Earth Science Divisions, together with the high-performance computing office. He previously served as GSFC’s Director of the Astrophysics Science Division and GSFC’s Deputy Director of SED. For ~14 years he was the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Observatory Project Scientist responsible for the development and oversight of Webb’s Observatory Science Requirements. Prior to joining GSFC, Dr Clampin was the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Group Lead at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), where he worked on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Servicing Missions SM1 to SM3B. Dr. Clampin is a Co-Investigator with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and the Advanced camera for Surveys (ACS) science team and where he was responsible for the delivery of ACS’s three focal plane camera systems. His research interests focus on studying the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Dr. Clampin has also designed ground-based telescope instruments including adaptive optics systems, coronagraphs and detectors.

Dr. Clampin graduated from the University of London with a BS in Physics and from the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, with PhD in Astronomy. Dr. Clampin is the recipient of the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for his work on the Webb Telescope, NASA’s Scientific Achievement Medal and the AAAS Newcomb-Cleveland Prize. He is a Fellow of SPIE and the Royal Astronomical Society. Dr. Clampin was the founding Editor of SPIE’s peer-reviewed Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments and Systems (JATIS), and served as Chief Editor for 7 years.

Head of U.S. Space Systems, Airbus U.S.

Debra Facktor is the Head of U.S. Space Systems for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. She leads the Airbus U.S. Space line of business with a focus on small satellites produced for commercial and government customers at the company’s manufacturing facility in Merritt Island, Florida, and on space exploration activities in the U.S. Debra sits on the board of directors for Starlab Space LLC, a joint venture between Voyager and Airbus to build and operate a next-generation commercial space station. She also served on the board of the Airbus OneWeb Satellites joint venture prior to its recent acquisition

by Airbus U.S. Prior to joining Airbus U.S., Debra was Vice President and General Manager of Strategic Operations for Ball Aerospace, leading the company’s Washington D.C. operations, strategic development, and marketing and communications. Her extensive business experience includes serving as President and Owner of AirLaunch LLC, and as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning for Kistler Aerospace Corporation. She also served as an industry professor at Steven Institute of Technology School of Systems and Enterprises and as Director of Strategic Programs for the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC). Earlier in her career, Debra was Chief of Moscow Operations for ANSER’s Center for International Aerospace Cooperation. Debra is actively engaged as an advisor and mentor in the aerospace community and is a fellow

of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She sits on the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and is Chair of SSPI-WISE (Space & Satellite Professionals International – Women in Space Engagement), former chair of the Board of Women in Aerospace (WIA), and former treasurer of the Future Space Leaders

Foundation. She is also a fellow of the American Astronautical Society (AAS), an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and a member of Chief.

Debra received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the

University of Michigan and is an alumna of the International Space University summer session

program in Strasbourg, France.

International Government Relations & Strategy Lead, Blue Origin

Diana Jack is currently the International Government Relations & Strategy Lead at Blue Origin, where she manages the company’s engagement on international policy issues and alignment with the United States’ and partner countries’ space policy goals. She has been with Blue Origin for three years, and previously was a Strategy Senior Manager leading the company’s orbital launch and space mobility strategy. Prior to joining Blue in 2022, Diana was a Senior Manager in Avascent’s space practice, providing management consulting services to traditional and new space companies and governments, including for growth, capture, market, and industrial strategies. She has previously held positions at the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and the United States Council for International Business, working at the nexus of business and foreign policy. Diana has studied at the George Washington University Space Policy Institute, holds a Master’s in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and a Bachelor’s summa cum laude in European Studies and German Language from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Crew Integration Advisor, Blue Origin

Rex Walheim was born in Redwood City, California, but considers San Carlos California his hometown. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he got his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1984. He received his Master’s of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston in 1989.

Walheim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in May 1984. He worked at various jobs in Air Force Space Command until he attended the Flight Test Engineer course at USAF Test Pilot School in 1992 at Edwards AFB, California.  Following his graduation, he was assigned to the F-16 Combined Test Force at Edwards, where he was a project manager and then Commander of the Avionics and Armament Flight. In January 1996, Walheim became an instructor at the Air Force Test Pilot School, where he served until he was selected for astronaut training.

Walheim commenced astronaut training at the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. After completing 2 years of training and evaluation, he qualified for flight assignment as a Mission Specialist. Walheim was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations branch, where he helped develop the initial procedures and displays used on the International Space Station. He served as CAPCOM in the Mission Control Center and was also the chief of the spacewalking branch. A veteran of three space flights, he has logged over 36 days in space, including more than 36 hours in five spacewalks. 

Walheim’s first space flight was on STS-110 in 2002, which brought up the S0 truss segment to the International Space Station. In 2008, he was the lead spacewalker on STS-122 which brought up the Columbus European Laboratory Module. Walheim was also a Mission Specialist on the crew of STS-135 in 2011, a station cargo delivery mission, which was the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Subsequent to his flights, Walheim served as Chief of the Exploration branch of the Astronaut Office, where he worked as the astronaut representative to the Orion Program. In 2015, he became the Assistant Director for Operations for the Flight Operations Directorate. He then served as the Deputy Director of Safety and Mission Assurance at the Johnson Space Center. Rex Walheim retired from NASA in July 2020.

After retiring from NASA, Walheim joined Axiom Space where he was the Safety and Mission Assurance Director, and then later the Chief Safety Officer. In 2024, he joined Blue Origin, where he currently works as the Crew Integration Advisor.

Director of Research Operations, Virgin Galactic

Kathleen Karika is the Director for Research Operations at Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company with a deep commitment to providing opportunities for research and scientific exploration in a suborbital space environment. In this role, Ms. Karika is responsible for business development for suborbital research missions for the U.S. and international governments, academia, and industry. Prior to joining Virgin Galactic, Ms. Karika led capture activities for significant international government satellite pursuits at Maxar. She has also held positions at Lockheed Martin, Avascent, NASA Ames Research Center, and the U.S. House of Representatives Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Ms. Karika holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematical Sciences and a Master of International Affairs from Texas A&M University. She has been on the Board of Directors for the American Astronautical Society since 2014 where she serves as the Vice President of International and previously served as the Vice President of Education and Young Professionals.

Chief of Government Relations and Communications, Axiom

Jared Stout is a distinguished leader in space policy, government relations, and communications. In this role, he oversees advocacy, outreach, and communications initiatives, guiding the company's policy and communications objectives across federal, state, and regional activities. Prior to joining Axiom Space, Stout held significant positions in both the public and private sectors. He served as Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff for the White House National Space Council, where he managed external affairs and contributed to the formulation of U.S. national space policy across civil, commercial, and national security domains. Stout's experience also includes serving as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Communications at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation. Earlier in his career, he was a Professional Staff Member for the Space Subcommittee of the House of Representatives' Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where he played a key role in drafting key legislation on NASA, regulations, and commercial space activity. In the private sector, Stout has been a consultant at various law firms in Washington, D.C., advising clients on legislative, communications, and regulatory strategies within the space industry. Stout's extensive background in policy and communications and his industry expertise enhances Axiom Space's leadership team as the company advances its mission to build the world's first commercial space station and the first lunar spacesuits since the Apollo era.

Director of Astronaut Sales, Commercial Partnerships and Customer Experience, Blue Origin

Sarah Phelps is Blue Origin’s Managing Director of Astronaut and Customer Experience for New Shepard, New Glenn, Space Systems, and Lunar Development. She has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles at luxury hotels and resorts around the country and brings deep experience in experiential and transformational travel, including more than 13 years at the Yellowstone Club and additional experience in education, nonprofits, and all-inclusive resorts.

Deeply passionate about creating life-changing customer experiences, Sarah developed the New Shepard customer experience and led the design, build-out, and establishment of Astronaut Village at Launch Site One. Her singular focus is providing world class service to the astronauts who make Blue Origin’s mission possible. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and lives in Kent, WA with her daughter, Sydney. She’s active in the local Kent community as a school volunteer 

SGAC Co-Chair, Aerospace Engineer and Founder, ArkEdge

Joshua Critchley-Marrows is an aerospace engineer with expertise in space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems and resilience. He is based in Japan, currently leading Japanese start-up ArkEdge Space's LEO-PNT initiative, alongside support to development of Lunar PNT. He is also contributing to resilient PNT policy-making in both Japan and Australia. He completed his PhD at the University of Sydney, in collaboration with Texas A&M University and the University of Tokyo, on celestial-derived alternative PNT infrastructure for terrestrial and space-based applications.

Joshua is a former Senior Navigation Engineer at GMV in the UK, where he served as project and technical lead of activities across UK, Europe and Australia, including smartphone high accuracy services, 3GPP high precision data dissemination, and space-based GNSS interference detection missions. He participated in the ISU SSP in 2021, was an exchange Master's student at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and interned at DLR in Germany.

Joshua has been with SGAC since 2018, supporting team roles in both Project Group (PGs) and Events, eventually becoming the PG Coordinator in 2021. Since 2024, he is serving as Co-Chair to the organisation.

Senior Practice Manager, Access Partnership

Hamza Hameed is a Pakistani lawyer who works as a Senior Practice Manager at Access Partnership in Singapore. He is a member of the ITU Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Board and served as the Chair of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) from 2022 to 2024. He leads the firm’s engagements with governments and the private sector on issues related to space, satellite, and connectivity in the Asia-Pacific, and the firm’s global work on space sustainability. Prior to this this, Hamza worked as part of the Secretariat of UNIDROIT in Rome. He led the effort towards establishing an international system of secured transactions law for the space sector and advised governments on issues related to blockchain and crypto law.

Hamza holds an LLM from the International Institute for Air and Space Law at Leiden University. He teaches spacecraft financing at Leiden University and is a member of the International Institute for Space Law (IISL).

Director of Aerospace Services, Scot Forge

Nate graduated from Drake University with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing &

Entrepreneurial Management. After graduation, Nate joined Scot Forge in a sales role focusing on metal forging needs in the infrastructure, power generation and service center markets. Two years later, Nate was promoted, becoming an industry specialist on the aerospace team. A key component of his new sales role was identifying value added opportunities to create a better solution and lower cost for Scot

Forge’s space launch customers. Today, Nate is the Director of Aerospace Services at Scot Forge. His current role includes strengthening relationships with prime contractors and sub-tier machine shops to deliver quality hardware on-time for launch vehicle and like industries.

Chief Strategy Officer, Point Solutions

Dr. Melissa Patton is a powerhouse in strategic initiatives and pipeline management, transforming organizations with bold ideas and game-changing strategies. With 20+ years of experience in product, program, and project management, she specializes in scaling organizations through product-led growth.

An entrepreneur at heart, she has led lean startups, driven exponential growth, and launched industry-defining innovations in health, education, and tech. Whether in the boardroom or on the frontlines of innovation, she turns obstacles into opportunities, shaping the future of space, STEM, and beyond. Dr. Patton doesn’t just navigate change, she creates it. Dr. Patton is the Chief Strategy Officer at Point Solutions Group, driving talent acquisition and DoD federal contracting with precision and impact. Beyond her executive role, she actively shapes the future of space and defense—volunteering as a Program Manager for the Space Force Association’s Space Professional Society and serving on the boards of AFCEA Space Coast and the University of Central Florida.

 Senior Director of Engineering, Astroscale U.S. 

 Jeff Schloemer is an aerospace engineer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Currently the senior director of engineering at Astroscale US, he is working to establish a sustainable circular economy in space. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 with a BS in Aerospace and went on to earn an MS in Aerospace in 2009. Prior to Astroscale while at Lockheed Martin, Jeff led the CONOPS development of the space segment for a government customer. In his previous decade at Raytheon, he acted as a chief engineer and led business development efforts for new space system capabilities and enterprise testing development and execution. Jeff is also a patent holder, having received recognition for his work in space constellation management optimization and has authored several papers on systems engineering advancements in aerospace. 

Director, Business and Policy, Starfish Space

Alex Coultrup is Director of Business and Policy at Starfish Space, a satellite-servicing company building toward the future of affordable, accessible satellite servicing. She earned her M.S. from Florida Institute of Technology, where she focused on Space Policy and Human-Centered Design for microgravity. Alex has worked at the CSIS Aerospace Security Project, was a Matthew Isakowitz Fellow at the XPRIZE Foundation, and Nanoracks, where she worked on the Starlab Commercial LEO Destinations program. Today, her focus is on the commercial business case of satellite disposal in LEO, and engaging with the policy environment for consensual and cooperative on-orbit servicing operations. She also is deputy director of the Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Policy Scholarship, which engages exceptional students with paid summer internships in the DC Metro area.

Chief Strategy Officer, Orbit Fab

Manny Shar is the Chief Strategy Officer at Orbit Fab, a pioneering space start-up focused on developing a sustainable in-space propellant and materials supply chain. With over a decade of leadership experience across space technology, consulting, and investment banking, Manny specializes in technology development, commercialization, and international growth. Manny previously led Orbit Fab’s European and international expansion, winning millions in government contracts. He leads the company’s strategic planning, fundraising, and growth to advance the company's vision of a thriving in-space economy.

Previously, as Head of Analytics at BryceTech, Manny established the firm’s European and international presence, leading government and commercial engagements and securing millions in contracts. Before BryceTech, Manny managed the analysis of Inmarsat’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of assets and drove strategic investments in satellite technology. He also previously spent a few years as an analyst at investment banks, including Goldman Sachs and Barclays.

Manny serves on advisory boards and committees, including the UK Space Agency and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). 

He is the recipient of the 2023 IAF Young Space Leader award, SSPI’s 20 Under 35 award (2019 & 2020), SGAC’s Space Generation Leadership award, and the William S. Ball Award for Entrepreneurship. He holds a Master's in Space Studies from the International Space University and a bachelor’s in computer science from the University of Kent.

Commercial Director, Dcubed

Markus Geiss is a Business Leader, Engineer and NewSpace Advocate with over 10 years of international experience in the Space sector, reaching from academia to large system integrators and NewSpace startups. Currently, Markus is the Commercial Director at Dcubed, where he’s responsible for overseeing all commercial activities and expanding the business globally. Before joining Dcubed, Markus was a systems engineer and project manager at OHB in Munich, Germany. Furthermore, he is the co-founder of Hopstronautix and SpaceBrewery, promoting awareness, outreach and excitement for Space.

Markus Geiss holds a Master’s and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and he’s a graduate of the International Space University’s Space Studies Program. Moreover, Markus holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich where he completed a dual studies program together with Airbus Defence and Space.

VP, Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships, ThinkOrbital

Justin retired as a Colonel after 21 years serving in the Department of the Air Force and was  instrumental in the standup of the US Space Force. He is a combat pilot and has experience in  commercial space launch and operations. Justin is a graduate of the United States Air Force’s Air War College, the School of Advanced Air  and Space Studies, Harvard University, and the Air Command and Staff College. Col Chandler was  commissioned into the Air Force upon graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in  2003. While stationed at Dyess Air Force Base he won the Gen. George Trophy for best C-130/C 160 crew and the Gen Allen Trophy for best Airdrop Team at the 2007 Air Mobility Command  Rodeo. At Pope Field he was named the 2011 Pope Field CGO of the Year. Col Chandler has  participated in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, UNIFIED RESPONSE, and HORN  OF AFRICA. He was an architect of the Pilot Training Next initiative reimagining pilot training  utilizing virtual reality, data analytics, biometrics, and human performance data. In 2019, Col  Chandler was one of three officers selected to attend USAF Space Officer Training to develop  multi-domain leaders for the service. Following Squadron Command, he served at SpaceX as a  Space Operations Engineer helping to launch astronauts from the United States for the first time  since 2011. Col Chandler has served most recently on the Space Force Headquarters Staff as the  Director of the Strategic Initiatives Group where he was crucial in the standup and growth of the  new service. He is a Senior Pilot with over 1,900 flying hours in the C-130 and KC-10, including  over 650 combat hours. He has commanded at the squadron level and served in multiple positions  at the USAF and USSF headquarters, MAJCOM, wing, group, and squadron levels.

Chief Marketing Officer, Star Catcher

Camille Bergin is an award-winning science communicator and space industry marketing executive with nearly a decade of experience spanning aerospace engineering, business development, and marketing across startups and major aerospace primes.

As the founder and CEO of Galactic Media, Camille works at the intersection of public engagement and industry growth, helping space, science, and tech organizations craft and implement high-impact marketing strategies that engage investors, customers, and top talent with their mission. 

Known online as @TheGalacticGal, Camille’s engaging ‘edutainment’ videos captivate a global audience of over 700,000 space and tech enthusiasts, making complex space topics accessible while inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals. She’s a sought-after global public speaker and her work has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post. As a leading industry voice, she blends technical expertise with storytelling to drive engagement, shape public perception, and strengthen support for space technology that benefits life on Earth while expanding humanity’s reach into the cosmos.

Senior Researcher and Lead on European Engagement

Tomas Hrozensky is a Senior Researcher and Lead on European Engagement at ESPI. He holds MA and PhD in international affairs from the Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. His experience includes being a Fulbright Scholar at the Space Policy Institute of the George Washington University, a researcher for the Space Security Index, chair of the Slovak Space Policy Association NGO, and member of Slovak delegation to the UN COPUOS.

Vice President, Military Space Systems,

Strategic Space Systems, Northrop Grumman

Blake Bullock is vice president for the Military Space Systems business unit within the Strategic Space Systems division of Northrop Grumman, a premier provider of space and launch systems serving national security,

military, and civil space customers. In this role, Bullock leads satellite communications and overhead sensing programs, proliferated

systems, and wideband technology development for U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense customers. She also leads operational programs for military and civil space missions, including NASA’s

James Webb Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Earth Observing System satellites Aqua and Aura. Prior to Bullock’s current position, she was vice president of Communication Systems. Before that,

Bullock was vice president of National Security Systems within Northrop Grumman’s Tactical Space Systems division, providing solutions across scientific and national security missions. Bullock served as director of Civil Air and Space for business and advanced systems development for the Aerospace Systems sector. She held positions of increasing responsibility with Northrop Grumman involving systems engineering, strategic planning, business development and management.

Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Bullock was director of corporate development for the University of California, Irvine. She served as a presidential management fellow at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and in the Pentagon for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Strategic and Space Programs.

She also was a mass media fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Bullock holds a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in astronomy from Wesleyan University.

Lieutenant General, USSF, Ret

Lt Gen John Shaw (US Space Force, ret) has 34+ years of experience in national security space and aerospace engineering with a focus on leading large-scale technical, global organizations. His unique proven strengths in executive decision-making, strategic risk management, and combat operations

at all levels have made him a leader in organizational transformation, strategic culture

transformation, and the innovative integration of allied/international and commercial capabilities into national security missions. He was among the first general officers to accept a commission in the US Space Force, resigning his US Air Force commission to do so.

General Shaw’s last active duty assignment, as a 3-star general in the US Space Force, was Deputy Commander of United States Space Command, where he directed 12,000+ personnel worldwide and oversaw a $525M budget to defend the nation’s critical space capabilities and to deliver space effects

to terrestrial warfighters and human society. Before joining U.S. Space Command, John was the last commander of 14th Air Force (US Air Force) and the first commander of Space Operations Command (US Space Force) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, leading 10,000+ personnel across the globe

that organized, trained, and equipped military space forces and executed global space operations, in teamwork with international partners. Prior to commanding 14th Air Force, John spent 30 years as a leader of large, complex, and highly technical organizations responsible for some of the world’s most critical space capabilities within

both the Department of Defense and the National Reconnaissance Office. He also served as a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and as a co-chair or member of several US delegations discussing space security issues with Russian and international delegations.

John holds multiple academic degrees in technical and strategic management fields, including a B.S in Astronautical Engineering with Russian Language minor from the US Air Force Academy, an M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the University of Washington and an M.S. in Organizational Management from The George Washington University. He is a noted public speaker and has delivered dozens of keynotes at various conferences and interviews to the media, including television

appearances on NBC News and National Geographic’s StarTalk. He has also authored or co-authored many works on space-focused strategy, security, and policy. John is an avid runner, skier, hiker, fly fisher, reader, wine enthusiast, chessplayer, and musician

Lieutenant General, USSF, Ret, EN Strategic Consulting

Nina M. Armagno served 35 years as a national defense expert and space  operations officer in the United States Air Force and the United States Space  Force. As the first Lieutenant General confirmed by the Senate into the Space  Force, Armagno served as the first director of staff where she orchestrated the  establishment of the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Commissioned  from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988, she is the only person to have  commanded both launch wings in the Air Force. Today, Armagno serves on the  board of directors and strategic advisory groups for several companies, to  include Rocket Lab, United Launch Alliance, and Lockheed Martin. Armagno  has received a series of awards, to include the Defense Distinguished Service  Medal, the General Jerome F. O’Malley Distinguished Space Leadership  Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Award.

CEO, BryceTech

Carissa Bryce Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of BryceTech, LLC, based in Alexandria, VA. She previously co-founded defense contractor The Tauri Group, acquired by LMI in 2019, and quantum computing software firm QxBranch, acquired by Rigetti Computing in 2019. She is an active tech investor and has served on several early-stage boards.  Ms. Christensen is an internationally recognized expert on the satellite and space industry, known for rigorous analysis and innovative, data-driven strategy. She is a Senior Advisor to the annual US Space Force Schriever Wargame. She serves on the Senior Advisory Council of the Aerospace Corporation Center for Space Policy and Strategy, serves on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Space, and chairs the US board of the UN-affiliated Space Generation Advisory Council. She is a founding member of the Future Space Leaders Foundation and chairs its Advisory Board. Ms. Christensen previously served on the National Research Council Space Technology Industry-Government-University Roundtable, which advises NASA, and served on the Space Committee of the Defense Innovation Board. Ms. Christensen is a Harvard Business School Entrepreneur-in-Residence. She guest lectures at universities including Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. She has testified before Congress and Parliament committees on the space industry. She publishes extensively, is often cited by major media outlets, and has appeared in commercial space documentaries by The Financial Times, Bloomberg and HBO.  

Ms. Christensen is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she specialized in science and technology policy. She attended the London School of Economics and was a Douglass Scholar at Rutgers University. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Ms. Christensen was named 2023 Executive of the Year (Up to $75M) at the Greater Washington GovCon Awards.

Principal, Oliver Wyman

 Andrew Penn is a Principal in Oliver Wyman’s ADG and Private Capital Practice areas where he works with senior leaders to drive value creation through winning strategies and operational effectiveness. A trusted advisor in the space sector, his work spans the space value-chain from launch and spacecraft manufacturing, to satellite operations, managed services, and data analytics. Over the course of his career he has led nearly 200 engagements ranging from market growth/entry strategies and adjacent market studies to joint venture standups, organizational restructurings, and numerous M&A transactions—including the two largest space take-privates of the decade: Inmarsat and Maxar Technologies. Andrew is a frequently sought-after contributor in leading space and SATCOM industry press for his market commentary and analysis, having contributed perspectives and Op-editorials in Via Satellite, SpaceNews, TechCrunch, and Avionics Today, amongst others. He also served as editor for Avascent’s “Apogee” space publication, where he authored numerous white papers on topics ranging from space SPAC valuations and in-flight connectivity business models, to government space acquisition strategies and National Security Space spending. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, Andrew was a Senior Director at Avascent, where he led the firm’s space M&A work. Andrew holds a BA from Northwestern University in economics and mathematics and completed the certificate program in financial economics from the Kellogg School of Management.

Senior Vice President Strategic and International Affairs, Space Foundation

As head of international affairs, Steve Eisenhart is principally responsible for the Space Foundation’s global strategy and relationships with international space agencies and organizations, foreign embassies and U.S. organizations involved with global space programs. He is directly responsible for the program development and integration of key Space Foundation activities including the annual Space Symposium. He also supervises the Space Foundation’s government affairs activities in the Washington, D.C., office including relationships with government agencies, other space advocacy organizations and associations and corporate interests. Since joining the Space Foundation in 1996, Eisenhart has had a broad range of responsibilities, serving as senior vice president of strategic communications, director of communications and public affairs and communications manager. Eisenhart was a military public affairs official and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Director General, European Space Agency (ESA)

Dr Josef Aschbacher is Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), headquartered in Paris, France, a role he assumed in March 2021. In 2023, his mandate as Director General was approved for a further period of four years as from 1 March 2025.

Born in Austria, Josef Aschbacher studied at the University of Innsbruck, graduating with a Master’s degree and a PhD in natural sciences. He has had an accomplished international career in space, combining more than 35 years’ work experience at ESA, the European Commission, the Austrian Space Agency, the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Innsbruck.

As Chief Executive Officer of ESA, Dr Aschbacher is responsible for the definition, implementation and development of Europe’s space infrastructure and activities, which include launchers, satellites performing Earth observation, navigation, telecommunication and space science, together with robotic exploration and ESA astronauts working on the International Space Station. He is responsible for an annual budget of €7 billion and a workforce of 5500 distributed across several establishments, principally in Europe.

When taking up office as ESA Director General, Dr Aschbacher published a new strategy for space in Europe, called 'Agenda 2025', aimed at accelerating significantly the use of space in Europe through major new initiatives and programmes. From 2016–21, he was ESA Director for Earth Observation Programmes and Head of ESA’s ESRIN establishment in Frascati, Italy. He has been a key leader of the European Copernicus programme, which has grown beyond all expectations and is now considered to be one of the most ambitious and successful Earth observation programmes in the world. He worked in various functions within ESA from 2001 onwards both in Paris and Frascati. From 1994–2000, he worked at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, in his latest position serving as Scientific Assistant to the Director of the Space Applications Institute. From 1991–93 he was stationed as ESA Representative in Southeast Asia, where he developed projects in the Asian region while, at the same time, working in a full-time academic teaching capacity as Associate Professor at AIT Bangkok. In 2021, Dr Aschbacher became 'Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana', the highest recognition accorded to non-Italian nationals.

CEO, United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA)

Paul Bate has been CEO of the UK Space Agency since September 2021. He leads a team of over 300 to boost UK prosperity, understand the Universe, and protect our planet and outer space. Prior to space, Paul ran global sales at Babylon Health, which floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, and built a consultancy business. Paul was David Cameron’s senior health adviser in Downing Street and led on health targets and finances in Tony Blair’s Delivery Unit. Paul holds a PhD in Particle Physics.

President, Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

Before being appointed as President of the Canadian Space Agency in September 2020, Lisa Campbell was Associate Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada, supporting the well-being of veterans and their families and promoting recognition of those who served Canada. Previously, Ms. Campbell was Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence and Marine Procurement, leading the organization procuring Canada's military and marine equipment. She worked at Canada's competition authority as Senior Deputy Commissioner reviewing mergers and business conduct. Ms. Campbell also enforced civil and criminal laws for truth in advertising.

She has done extensive regulatory work on the collection and trade in data, particularly in emerging business models. Ms. Campbell worked as a litigator in the areas of criminal, employment and constitutional law. She holds a B.A. in political science from McGill University (1988) and an LL.B. from Dalhousie Law School (1991).

Head of Agency, Australian Space Agency (ASA)

Enrico has led the Australian Space Agency since January 2021. Since his commencement, Enrico has proudly led a diverse team of space agents that have achieved a number of major milestones. Under his leadership the Agency has reached an agreement with NASA for an Australian designed, built and operated rover to be included in a future mission to the Moon, secured the first launch permits and launch facility licenses under the Australian Space (Launches and Returns) Act, and seen the first commercial spaceflights from Australia.

Before joining the Agency, Enrico spent 14 years in various roles at Virgin Galactic, including establishing and leading a vertically integrated aerospace manufacturing and testing operation for Mach 3, crewed commercial spaceships. From there Enrico was part of the team that launched the New York Stock Exchange listed public company and was appointed Chief Operating Officer.

A Perth native, Enrico graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Physics and Applied Mathematics. He also studied at the International Space University in Strasbourg.

President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Yamakawa Hiroshi was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1965. He received master's degree of engineering in 1990 and earned Ph. D from the Department of Aeronautics, School of

Engineering in 1993 both from the University of Tokyo. He became a research associate and an associate professor at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in 1993-2003, and an associate professor at Japan Aerospace

Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2003-2006. He engaged in mission design of numerous

Earth-orbiting scientific satellite projects as well as in lunar and interplanetary missions.

He also engaged in the navigation, guidance, and control systems of the solid propellant

rocket, M-V, and liquid propellant reusable sounding rocket, RVT. He was a study

manager and a project manager of the Euro-Japan collaborative mission to Mercury

"BepiColombo" from 2000 through 2006. He was a visiting scientist at NASA JPL in

1997-1998 and at ESA ESTEC in 2002.

He moved to Kyoto University in 2006 as a professor of the Research Institute of

Sustainable Humanosphere, a professor of the Graduate School of Engineering (cooperating chair) and a deputy director of the Unit for Synergetic Studies of Space. His academic interest lay in orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, space propulsion, and space situational awareness. He was appointed as secretary general at the Secretariat of Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan in 2010 through 2012. Then, he was assigned member of the Committee on National Space Policy, Cabinet Office from 2012 through 2018. He was appointed as the President of JAXA in April 2018.