Key Space Sector People To Watch In 2021
Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno
Credit: U.S. Air ForceU.S. Space Force Staff Director
Armagno, the former director of Air Force space programs, now is tasked with coordinating the new Space Force’s roles and responsibilities. She also will be advocating for the Space Force inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. Armagno has deep experience with space programs: She has been director of space programs for Air Force acquisitions and has commanded the military space launch ranges at Vandenberg AFB, California, and Patrick AFB, Florida.
Chuck Beames
Credit: York Space SystemsExecutive Chairman of York Space Systems
Beams, a former civilian within the Pentagon, is also the chairman of the Small Satellite Alliance. Now he leads York Space Systems, which has one of the first contracts to deliver 10 spacecraft to the Space Development Agency for its transport layer of low-Earth-orbiting satellites.
Peter Beck
Credit: Rocket LabFounder and CEO of Rocket Lab
The small-satellite sensation Rocket Lab has built a steady cadence of Electron launches and has begun recovering boosters to move toward reusing them. In the fall, the company launched the first of its own Photon satellites, which are intended to allow for technology demonstrations.
Mark Kelly
Credit: Mark Kelly for SenateDemocratic U.S. Senator from Arizona
Kelly has been elected to the Arizona U.S. Senate seat once held by the late John McCain, replacing Air Force Col. (ret.) Martha McSally, who was appointed interim senator in December 2018. Having traveled on four NASA space shuttle missions, now-retired astronaut Kelly is poised to make an impact on space planning and policy.
Matthew Kuta
Credit: Voyager Space HoldingsCo-founder, President and COO of Voyager Space Holdings
A former U.S. Air Force F-15E pilot who won the Jabara Award for gallantry in Afghanistan, Kuta now oversees the first holding company specifically targeting new-space ventures. Voyager was launched in late 2019 and continues to make acquisitions.
Ellen Stofan
Credit: Smithsonian Air & Space MuseumDirector of the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum
Stofan’s presence continues to grow as a respected source within the space sector on everything from workforce issues to new technologies. President-elect Joe Biden has appointed her to lead his review team of NASA as his administration takes office. Before joining the Smithsonian, Stofan was a principal advisor to then-NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who helped develop a plan to put humans on Mars.