Signature Series

Space Capital Forum

June 28, 2023

McLean, VA
Unclassified

Growing recognition of the importance of space capability to our security and economy, coupled with the expanding space threats from China and Russia, has resulted in bi-partisan support for increased federal investment in national security space. In parallel, the deployment of capital to space start-ups on the part of traditional investors and space billionaires has given rise to an explosion of innovation and technology in commercial space.

On June 28, NSSA will host the Space Capital Forum to facilitate fulsome discussion between traditional national security space companies, space entrepreneurs, and those providing and enabling the deployment of this capital – VCs, PEs, bankers, among others.

The agenda includes panel discussions where investment perspectives are shared by prospective buyers and sellers—constituencies who often don’t understand one another well—and other panels focusing on what the U.S. Government needs and how the gap between the Government (as a buyer/customer) and commercial space entrepreneurs and investors can be bridged.

This event is closed to the press. 

Speakers

Jim Bridenstine

The Honorable Jim Bridenstine

Former Administrator, NASA, Former U.S. Rep (R-OK)
Gen. David Thompson, BIO (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Gen David "DT" Thompson

Vice Chief of Space Operations, USSF
Dr. Jason Rathje

Dr. Jason Rathje

Director, Office of Strategic Capital, OSD
David Wajsgras, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat

David Wajsgras

Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat
songjohn

John Song

Managing Director, Baird
Jean Stack

Jean Stack

Managing Director, Baird
Jon Lusczakoski

Jon Lusczakoski

Vice President, AE Industrial Partners, LP
David Wodlinger

David Wodlinger

Managing Partner, Arlington Capital Partners
Jordan Noone

Jordan Noone

Co-founder and General Partner, Embedded Ventures
Danil Subkhankulov

Danil Subkhankulov

Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management
Ron Lopez

Ron Lopez

President & Managing Director, Astroscale U.S. Inc.
Mike Mancini

Mike Mancini

Chief Financial Officer, Astranis
Matt O'Connell

Matt O'Connell

Chairman of the Board, Capella Space
Patrick Zeitouni

Patrick Zeitouni

Chief Strategy Officer, Hawkeye360
Jim McClelland

Jim McClelland

Vice President of Mission Architecture, Maxar
Brig Gen Steve Bucky Butow

Brig Gen Steve "Bucky" Butow

Director, Space Portfolio, DIU & Commander, CA Air National Guard
Jeremy Leader

Jeremy Leader

Acting Deputy Director, Commercial Space Office
Muend-Headshot

Pete Muend

Director, Commercial Systems Program Office, National Reconnaissance Office
Roy Pettis

Roy Pettis

Deputy NIM-Space, ODNI
David Micha

David Micha

Vice President and General Manager, Intelsat
dodd_Square

Joseph Dodd

Chair of the NSSA Board of Directors, Senior VP for Corporate Development at Linquest Corporation

Agenda

2:00 - 2:30 pm

Registration

2:30 - 2:45 pm

Welcome/Introduction

  • Joe Dodd, Chairman, NSSA Board of Directors, and Event Moderator
  • David Wajsgras, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat
  • John Song, Managing Director, Baird
  • Jean Stack,Managing Director, Baird

2:45 - 3:15 pm

Keynote 1: The Big Picture

  • The Honorable Jim Bridenstine, Former Administrator, NASA & Former U.S. Rep (R-OK)

3:15 - 3:45 pm

Keynote 2: Space Force Commercial Needs – Today and Tomorrow

  • Gen David “DT” Thompson, Vice Chief, Space Operations, USSF

3:45 - 4:15 pm

Keynote 3: DoD Capital Partnership Opportunities in the Space Sector

  • Dr Jason Rathje, Director, Office of Strategic Capital, OSD

4:15 - 4:30 pm

BREAK

4:30 - 5:15 pm

Panel 1: Investment Perspectives

  • Jon Lusczakoski, Vice President, AE Industrial Partners, LP
  • Jordan Noone, Co-Founder and General Partner, Embedded Ventures
  • Danil Subkhankulov, Managing Director, Cerberus, Capital Management
  • David Wodlinger, Managing Partner, Arlington Capital Partners

5:15 - 6:00 pm

Panel 2: “In the Middle,” The Service Providers

  • Ron Lopez, President & Managing Director, Astroscale
  • Mike Mancini, Chief Financial Officer, Astranis
  • Jim McClelland, Vice President of Mission Architecture, Maxar
  • Matt O’Connell, Chairman of the Board, Capella Space
  • Patrick Zeitouni Chief Strategy Officer, Hawkeye360

6:00 - 6:45 pm

Panel 3: Government Perspectives

  • Brig Gen Steve “Bucky” Butow, Director, Space Portfolio, DIU & Commander, California Air National Guard
  • Jeremy Leader, Acting Deputy Director, Commercial Space Office
  • Pete Muend, Director, Commercial Systems Program Office, NRO
  • Dr. Roy Pettis, Deputy National Intelligence Manager for Space, ODNI

6:45 - 7:00 pm

Closing Remarks

  • Joe Dodd
  • Steve Jacques
  • David Micha
  • John Song

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Networking Reception