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.
Sponsored by

Speakers

The Honorable Jim Bridenstine

Gen David "DT" Thompson

Dr. Jason Rathje

David Wajsgras

John Song

Jean Stack

Jon Lusczakoski

David Wodlinger

Jordan Noone

Danil Subkhankulov

Ron Lopez

Mike Mancini

Matt O'Connell

Patrick Zeitouni

Jim McClelland

Brig Gen Steve "Bucky" Butow

Jeremy Leader

Pete Muend

Roy Pettis

David Micha

Joseph Dodd
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