Abby Dickes is the Chief Marketing Officer for Voyager Space. She is responsible for building and managing Voyager’s marketing, corporate communications, and brand strategy, while providing leadership and coordination across the Voyager enterprise. Abby also oversees marketing and communications for Starlab Space LLC, a global joint venture lead by Voyager, that is building Starlab, a next generation commercial space station. At Voyager, Abby has previously held the roles of Vice President of Marketing and Executive Vice President of Marketing.

Adrian Mangiuca joined Rational Futures as Managing Partner after serving as the first full-time civil servant appointed to NASA’s Chief Economist office. At NASA, he integrated business, investment, and space industry expertise into Agency analyses of emerging markets including lunar infrastructure, human spaceflight, and data relay systems.

His career in the space sector includes significant leadership roles as SpaceX’s commercial launch sales Director for Europe and Vice President of Strategy at Voyager Space, where he spearheaded the successful acquisition effort of the Starlab Commercial Space Station. Adrian’s additional space industry experience spans positions at Redwire and Nanoracks.

Before transitioning to aerospace, Adrian spent five years at the United States Department of State, focusing on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and democratization initiatives. He holds a Master’s in Economic Development from University College, London.

Akhil is a Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Rational Futures. His career has spanned government, academia, and industry. He served as acting Chief Economist in NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, where he led agency-level market assessment, technoeconomic concept development, and benefit-cost analysis. He was an Economics professor at Middlebury College, where he taught courses in quantitative methods and applied resource and industrial economics, and led data science at Red9 Corporation, a technology startup focused on wearable motion sensors and machine learning. Akhil holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Alex Coultrup (she/her) is the Director of LEO Business and Policy at Starfish Space, a startup working 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 platforms.

Alex has worked as a policy researcher at the CSIS Aerospace Security Project, was a Matthew Isakowitz Fellow at the XPRIZE Foundation, and worked on the Outpost and Starlab Commercial LEO Destinations programs at Nanoracks.

Today, her focus is on the commercial economics of satellite servicing in LEO, and engaging with the policy environment for consensual and cooperative on-orbit servicing operations.

Bradley Cheetham is a lifelong space advocate, highly experienced engineer, a three-time entrepreneur and, seasoned graduate-level instructor. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Advanced Space where he leads company in its efforts to enable the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space by delivering solutions in flight dynamics, technology development, and rapid turn-key missions to clients across the space industry. Advanced Space is the owner and operator of the CAPSTONE spacecraft, which successfully arrived at the Moon in 2022 as a pathfinder for NASA's Artemis program. 

Cheetham earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and received his Masters in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder, there he also conducted significant research on spacecraft navigation at the Moon. 

Texas based “business builder” and investor focused on aerospace, defense and "dual use" technology that makes an impact on the future of work, life and security. Draws on Big 5 consulting, corporate development, capital formation, M&A and tech start-up expertise across the Telecommunications, Aerospace and Defense sectors to include co-founding and leading multiple high-tech companies. U.S. Air Force veteran passionate about helping service members transition into workforce. 

An aerospace engineer turned technical storyteller, Camille works across the space ecosystem, from the U.S. Space Force and aerospace primes to venture-backed startups and NGOs, to translate complex space technologies into market momentum, policy relevance, and public trust. 

Known to a global audience of nearly one million as @TheGalacticGal, Camille helps the public understand space technology, business, and policy, shaping how society engages with its future.

Prior to founding Modulate, Camille built the foundational marketing team at Vast Space, led advanced programs business development at Orbit Fab, and supported both engineering and business development efforts at Lockheed Martin Space. Her experience spans key space market verticals including satellite infrastructure and servicing, lunar development, human spaceflight, and national security.

As the President of CS Consulting, Caryn Schenewerk provides expert guidance to clients on regulatory and policy engagement with all levels of government. Her experience includes serving as Vice President for Regulatory and Government Affairs at Relativity Space and nearly a decade at  SpaceX where she was Senior Counsel and Senior Director of Spaceflight Policy.

Clay Mowry is the CEO of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and a globally recognized space industry executive. Clay is a lifetime AIAA member and was elected as an AIAA Fellow in February 2024.

Before joining AIAA, Clay’s career spanned the commercial launch and satellite sectors as a senior executive for leading space companies and trade associations.

Clay currently serves as president of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the world’s leading space nonprofit comprising 513 member organizations from 77 countries including space agencies, companies, research organizations, societies, and museums. He will continue in this volunteer role through October 2025.

Dave has spent 15 years as a Government Affairs and Government Business Unit leader in the Space and Satellite/Telecom industry. Started in NASA HQ Legislative Affairs before moving to lead the Satellite Industry Association (SIA). Hired by member company Arrowhead Global Solutions and then led Government Relations, Program Management/Operations, Sales and Business Development, and finally VP, General Manager (P+L) for Government Business Unit. Led US Government business for 8+ years amidst massive industry change and 4 different mergers and acquisitions during my time at Harris/ CapRock/ Arrowhead.

David Marsh is a space industry professional focused on using technologies in orbit to improve life on Earth while understanding the geopolitical implications of space exploration. He previously served as the Director of Space Station Strategy for Voyager Space, where he helped plan for the future of human spaceflight onboard commercially-owned spacecraft. A member of The Explorers Club since early 2024, he is an alumnus of the Young Explorers Program, where his research addressed the impact of space technology on remote Arctic communities. Prior to his time in the space industry, he supported the US government as a consultant, working on security cooperation projects in the Middle East and Latin America. He received his bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Debra Facktor leads the Airbus U.S. Space Systems 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.

Eric Stallmer is the Executive VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy at Voyager Space, leading its D.C. office and advocating for Voyager with Congress, the White House, and federal/international agencies. Previously, he was President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. He has served on the Defense Innovation Board's Space Advisory Committee, the FAA's COMSTAC, and the National Space Council's Users’ Advisory Group, where he co-chairs the Economic Development Subcommittee.

Stallmer has testified before Congress, urging support for policies fostering industry growth. He was VP of Government Relations at AGI and served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army and Reserves. He resides in McLean, VA, with his wife, Amy, and their three children.

Heather Pringle is the CEO of the Space Foundation.

Prior to joining Space Foundation in July 2023, Heather served as the Commander and Technology Executive Officer of the Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Her responsibilities included formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio worth $3 billion that anticipated future warfighter needs for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, while promoting risk-taking and problem-solving across a unique and talented team.

Four generations of educators in her family paved the way for Heather’s academic pursuits, including a degree in Human Factors from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a Doctorate in Engineering Psychology, from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

Heriberto Saldivar is the Head of Strategy at the European Space Agency (ESA), a role he has held since 2022. He leads the development of ESA’s long-term strategic vision, including spearheading the creation of ESA Strategy 2040, which charts the path for Europe’s future in space—focusing on prosperity, technological leadership, and the safety of its citizens.

Jacqueline is the managing editor of Payload, where she also writes Polaris, Payload's weekly space policy newsletter. 

She previously covered national security and space for Defense One and POLITICO, where she helped launch POLITICO Space, a weekly space policy newsletter. She has been a reporter in Washington for over a decade, including time spent at the Washington Examiner, the Washington Times, and Navy Times. 

She graduated from Boston University in May 2010 with a B.A. in Religion and English and received a master's degree in health and science reporting from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism in August 2011.

Jake Cornish has led the progress, launch, and deployment of small satellites to the International Space Station and launch vehicles across the space industry. To date, Jake has coordinated the launch and deployment of 200+ satellites into low Earth orbit, across seven different launch vehicles, collaborating with satellite providers around the globe.

As the US Launch Director at Exolaunch, Jake is responsible for maintaining Exolaunch's US based contracts, ensuring execution of all aspects of a satellites lifecycle, up to and through launch. Jake supports launch campaigns as a Mission Manager, but also helps ensure Exolaunch's US business is prepared to take on the biggest of Government and commercial customers.

Jared Stout is a distinguished leader in space policy, government relations, and communications. In this role, he oversees advocacy, outreach, and policy initiatives, guiding the company's objectives across international, federal, state, and regional activities.

Prior to joining Axiom Space, Jared 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.

Jeff Thornburg is the CEO of Portal Space Systems. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he earned a master’s in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and contributed to pioneering programs at the Air Force Research Laboratory, including the world’s first hydrogen full-flow staged combustion cycle engine demo.

Thornburg has held leadership roles at top space and tech firms, including VP of Propulsion Engineering at SpaceX, where he developed the Raptor Engine for Starship and oversaw six Falcon 9 launches. He also served as Director of Mechanical Engineering for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, VP of Propulsion at Stratolaunch, SVP of Engineering at Agility Robotics, and Chief Engineer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems.

His achievements have earned him prestigious awards from NASA and the Air Force, including the NASA Space Flight Awareness and Made It Happen awards.

Jodi Goldberg is special counsel in the Corporate and Securities Practice Group in the Sheppard Mullin's Washington, D.C. office. Jodi’s practice is focused on technology and telecommunications, with a particular emphasis on satellite, space, wireless, and novel technologies. 

Jodi advocates for clients in FCC and NOAA regulatory proceedings, advises on licensing, allocation, and transactional matters, negotiates and drafts commercial agreements, and counsels clients on new technologies and services. Jodi has experience with managing global managed-networks, including working with regulators in foreign markets, supervising outside counsel and consultants, and ensuring on-going compliance. Jodi also represents companies before the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies and the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Joe Landon is an aerospace and defense leader, entrepreneur and investor, currently Co-Founder & President of Rendezvous Robotics, a company building space infrastructure using modular, autonomous systems that assemble in orbit. With a proven track record of leading innovative businesses, securing major U.S. government programs, and building high-performing teams, Joe is dedicated to advancing technologies that transform the future of commerce, science and security in space.

Previously, Joe served as CEO of Crescent Space, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin developing lunar infrastructure. Prior to launching Crescent, Joe served as Vice President for Advanced Programs Development at Lockheed Martin where he led business development, strategy, and R&D for Lockheed Martin Commercial Civil Space. 

He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

John Conafay is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and Co-Founder + CEO of Integrate– building multiplayer project management software for the world’s most ambitious machines.

Conafay has been an early employee and interned at three space unicorns. Most recently, Conafay was Head of Business Development at ABL Space Systems leading the sale of launch services to Amazon Kuiper and onboarding to OSP-4. Prior to ABL, he was Director of Business Development at Spaceflight Inc., Business Development and Operations Manager at Astranis, Business Development Associate at BryceTech, and interned at Spire Global while Executive Director for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, USA (SEDS USA).

Prior to transitioning to the private sector, Katie served as Chief of Staff for the National Space Council, advising the Vice President and Executive Secretary on issues pertaining to civil, commercial, and national security space. She was instrumental in the successful standup of the United States Space Force, the first new branch of the U.S. Armed Forces in nearly 70 years, as well as the reestablishment of United States Space Command as a unified combatant command.

Prior to joining the National Space Council, Katie served as the Deputy Director of Scheduling for Vice President Mike Pence. Before relocating to Washington, DC, Katie spent nearly ten years working for the State of Indiana, in both the executive and legislative branches, including as Workforce Policy Director for Governor Mike Pence.

Kerri L. Cahoy, Sheila Evans Widnall (1960) Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as Space Sector Head at MIT, received her B.S.  in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University working with the Radio Science Team on Mars Global Surveyor. 

From 2008 to 2010, Dr. Cahoy was a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow in Exoplanet Exploration at NASA Ames Research Center. From 2010 to 2011, she was a Radio Science research scientist on the MIT Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) lunar mission team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Prof. Cahoy currently holds the Rockwell International Career Development Chair.

Dr. Cahoy leads the MIT Space, Telecommunications, Astronomy, and Radiation Lab, part of the Space Systems Laboratory.

Lee Steinke is the Chief Operating Officer at CisLunar Industries, a venture-backed company developing hardware for in-space metal processing and power conversion to enable key emerging space capabilities. She also served as Interim COO of Orbit Fab during a leadership transition for the satellite refueling company and in various strategic and front-facing roles with Space Foundation and Foundation for the Future. As a partner to the United States Space Force and NewSpace Nexus, Lee led the Space Futures Workshop with Industry to explore commercial views on the future of space and document the implications of those views for national security. 

Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant is Commander, Space Systems Command, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. He is responsible for more than 15,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel worldwide and an annual budget of $15.6 billion, while managing the research, design, development, acquisition, launch, and sustainment of satellites and the associated command and control systems. His extensive portfolio includes military satellite communication, missile warning, navigation and timing, space-based weather, space launch and test ranges, space superiority, responsive space and other emerging evolutionary space programs.

Prior to Space Systems Command, Lt. Gen. Garrant served as the Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, and had the overall responsibility for the strategies, requirements, and budget of the United States Space Force.

Dr. Namrata Goswami is a Professor of Space Security at Johns Hopkins University’s U.S. Space Force Schriever and West Space Scholars Program. She also teaches at Arizona State University and the Joint Special Forces University. A former Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, she has testified on China’s space program before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and serves on NATO's PfPC journal “Connections” editorial board.

With a Ph.D. in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Goswami authored Scramble for the Skies and The Naga Ethnic Movement. Her work appears in New Space and Strategic Studies Quarterly, earning IDSA President Awards. She has been featured on BBC, Al Jazeera, and The Space Show and is a TEDx speaker. 

Peter Krauss is the Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital, a leading aerospace manufacturer specializing in satellite solutions for government and commercial clients. With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Krauss brings extensive expertise in operational strategy, M&A, and international manufacturing. As former COO of Terran Orbital, he improved business operations and increased efficiency across the organization. Now as CEO, Krauss is advancing the company’s innovation efforts, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and promoting a culture based on transparency and performance.

Rob Meyerson is the Co- founder and CEO of Interlune, a natural resources company focused on being the first to commercialize space resources, starting with helium-3 from the Moon. He is the former president of Blue Origin, an aerospace company focused on lowering the cost of spaceflight and helping to explore the solar system. Previously, he was a senior manager at Kistler Aerospace.

Meyerson holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. He also holds a master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston.

Stephen McCall followed his passion for aerospace and defense by establishing Cislunar International in 2024. Prior to his current role, Stephen was Head of Government Relations at Firefly Aerospace, where he led global affairs at the federal, state, local, and international level. Before joining Firefly, he served 23 years of federal service. 

Stephen is a distinguished military veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Outside of his national security career, Stephen is a proud single Dad of two sons (Santiago and Julian) through international adoption. He is also an international keynote, Amazon best-selling author, an off-Broadway playwright, producer, and performer and was recently honored as "Top Lobbyist of the Year" for 20236

The Honorable Steven J. Isakowitz is president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect for the nation’s national security and civil space programs.

As a recognized leader across the government, private, space, and technology sectors, Isakowitz has served in prominent roles at Virgin, the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, and the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Previously, he served as deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA, where he helped guide the development of advanced technologies and promoted innovative approaches in the areas of space transportation and government-industry partnerships.

Prior to his NASA work, Isakowitz served as science and space programs branch chief at the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he oversaw $50 billion in federal science and technology programs, which included NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation.

Vishnu Selvakumar is an aerospace engineer with a deep passion for pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight. With a diverse background in environmental control, life support systems (ECLSS), human factors, and propulsion, Vishnu has made his mark at leading organizations like Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and Firefly Aerospace.

At Axiom Space, Vishnu is developing hardware for the Axiom Station's life support systems. His work at NASA involved pioneering augmented reality for spacesuits, enhancing astronaut safety and performance on the lunar surface. At SpaceX, he played a crucial role in optimizing the maintenance and repair operations of the Raptor engine, contributing to the advancement of launch vehicle reusability.