NSSA ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
A Shared Commitment to the Future of Space
NSSA is honored to partner with our scholarship sponsors in empowering the next generation of innovators, researchers, and leaders who will shape the future of space security and exploration. Through these collaborations, we create meaningful opportunities that open doors for talented individuals, enabling them to pursue their educational and professional goals. Together, we’re not just supporting students—we’re building a stronger, more resilient, and innovative space community that will drive progress and protect our nation’s interests for decades to come.
$10,000 / $5,000 RGi Scholarships
Reinventing Geospatial®, Inc. (RGi®), an industry leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, has partnered with the National Security Space Association to establish the RGi scholarship. This $10,000 scholarship is intended for graduate and undergraduate students (sophomore, junior, or senior standing) who are pursuing a degree in STEM and who have an interest in national security space.
$10,000 Moorman Scholarship
The Moorman Scholarship honors the legacy of General (USAF) Thomas S. Moorman Jr., and his significant contributions to shaping national security space within the Air Force and the Department of Defense. This scholarship is intended for undergraduate students of sophomore, junior, or senior standing, who demonstrate qualities reflective of General Moorman’s legacy—exemplary leadership, verbal and written excellence, and commitment to service (i.e., community engagement, volunteer work, or other impactful initiatives).
2026 NSSA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPEINTS
$10,000 RGi Scholarship
Jackson Artis
"I've been taught my whole life to make sure I'm using my education to the benefit of others and since completing my bachelors degree, I've been looking for ways to do so in this industry. When I came across NSSA and this scholarship sponsored by RGi, I was hopeful I might win it but I was more so hopeful I could connect with this group of individuals who have demonstrated a similar passion and perspective. I am so honored, blessed, and humbled to have received this award and to have been selected by such an accomplished group of leaders in the field. I am committed to making sure I pay their generosity and support forward as I progress in my career."
Jackson Artis is a Ph.D. student in Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University whose work sits at the intersection of space systems, national security, and mission-level analysis. His interest in national security space grew through advanced studies at Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University, and was solidified during his time at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where he analyzed multi-domain defense architectures and the critical role of satellite systems in future military operations. Jackson has dedicated his career to understanding how space architectures can be made more effective, resilient, and sustainable. As a mission-level modeling and simulation analyst, he evaluated complex defense systems spanning the land, air, and space domains, while his research explores new approaches to designing agile satellite constellations for emerging security challenges. Beyond his technical work, Jackson has been a committed mentor and advocate for expanding opportunities in engineering, drawing on his own experiences to help build a more inclusive aerospace workforce. Through his research, leadership, and commitment to public service, he aims to strengthen both the technical foundations and the people behind America’s national security space enterprise.
$5,000 RGi Scholarship
Nathan O'Brien
"I am deeply grateful to all the mentors who took a chance on me. This recognition only strengthens my commitment to advancing American interests in space, and I look forward to contributing to that mission throughout my career."
Nathan O'Brien is a graduate student in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA while specializing in guidance, navigation, and control systems for space applications. His interest in national security space grew through hands-on experience across the aerospace industry, including work on missile defense systems at Lockheed Martin, launch vehicle navigation at Blue Origin, and military satellite operations at York Space Systems. Nathan has combined technical expertise with a strong interest in space security, serving as a consultant for the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Aerospace Security Project and conducting graduate research on space-based missile defense architectures. As the founder of Florida Rocket Lab's business development team, he also demonstrated leadership by helping secure significant funding to support student-led propulsion development. Through his engineering, research, and policy experience, Nathan is building a career at the intersection of space technology and national security, with the goal of strengthening the resilience and effectiveness of U.S. and allied space systems.
$10,000 Moorman Scholarship
Hriday Unadkat
“I’m truly humbled and honored to be awarded the Moorman Scholarship. The scholarship will help me defray the cost of my educational expenses, while also connecting me with the professionals across the space and national security sectors that will help fuel my ambitions in this industry. With the gracious support of the NSSA, I hope to honor the legacy, grit, and spirit of General Thomas S. Moorman Jr. to the very best I can.”
Hriday Unadkat is a recent graduate from Princeton University, majoring in mechanical & aerospace engineering, minoring in robotics & intelligent systems, and engaging as a fellow in the pre-law program. A former thermal engineering intern at SpaceX with the Starlink team, former lead for the Princeton SpaceShot initiative working on a two-stage rocket aimed at the Karman Line, legal fellow at the Princeton Legal Journal, and policy analyst with Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, Hriday is an avid explorer of the intersections between aerospace, law, and policy. Hriday currently spends his time working on Ripline, a compliance company supporting aerospace companies. Outside of industry, he also practices martial arts and roots for the Washington Commanders.
2025 NSSA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPEINTS
$10,000 RGi Scholarship
Will Kirby
$10,000 Moorman Scholarship
Shreya Chandra
Shreya Chandra is an Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering student at the University of California, Davis, with a passion for advancing space exploration and national security. A four-time NASA engineering intern, Matthew Isakowitz Fellow, Goldin Research Fellow, and U.S. Department of Energy NNSA PATH Scholar, she has combined academic excellence with impactful research and leadership. As co-founder of UC Davis's Aggie Space Initiative and chair of the university's AIAA chapter, Shreya is helping shape the next generation of space technology, policy, and innovation.