Space Policy Pod

Christian Davenport is a reporter covering the defense and space industries for The Washington Post’s Financial desk. He joined The Post in 2000 and has had an array of assignments. Before joining the Financial staff, Christian was an editor on the Metro desk, overseeing coverage of local government and politics. He has also worked at Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Austin American-Statesman.

Christian is the author of two books, and he won the Peabody Award in 2010. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from Colby College.

Ann Devereaux is Division Manager for Systems Engineering for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Systems Engineering Division, which includes both project and spacecraft systems engineering from proposal formulation and initial design through integration, test, and launch operations. Ann served as lead spacecraft systems engineer for Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover as well as most recently for the initial design phase of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. She has over 25 years of experience with both technology demonstrations and flight programs, designing and building custom high-reliability electronics for radios and instruments.

Marcia Smith is President of Space and Technology Policy Group, LLC and founder and editor of the website SpacePolicyOnline.com. A veteran space policy analyst, Ms. Smith spent 31 years as a science and technology policy expert specializing in space activities at the Congressional Research Service. After leaving CRS, she was Director of the Space Studies Board and of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

Among her professional activities, Ms. Smith is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a Fellow of the American Astronautical Society (AAS), and the North American editor of the quarterly journal Space Policy. A graduate of Syracuse University, Ms. Smith is the author or co-author of more than 220 reports and articles on space, nuclear energy, and telecommunications.

Episode 15 features Karl Rodrigues, Executive Director for International and National Engagement at the Australian Space Agency. Mr. Rodrigues is responsible for developing relationships with international space agencies. He also engages with Australian industry, start-ups, domestic agencies, research institutions, and state and territory governments to help grow the Australian space sector.

Mr. Rodrigues has over 25 years of experience in innovation, venture investment, research, development and commercialization of technology. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Computing Science from the University of Technology in Sydney, an MBA with Distinction from Griffith University in Queensland, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

This episode features Dale Nash, CEO and Executive Director of Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority. Also known as Virginia Space, the authority owns and operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) including three Launch Pads and a Payload Processing Facility, as well as the MARS UAS Airfield.

Mr. Nash has 38 years of experience in the aerospace industry. He headed the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska for six years prior to joining VA Space. He has also served in senior management positions working Space Shuttle launch operations and program development on the Orion program with United Space Alliance, Lockheed Martin, and Thiokol Corp.

Mr. Nash has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.

This podcast discussion features Kelvin Coleman, the FAA’s deputy associate administrator for commercial space transportation. His office is responsible for licensing commercial operators for space launch and re-entry. Prior to joining AST more than 20 years ago, Mr. Coleman worked for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command as both a systems engineer, and as a guidance, navigation, and control engineer for several weapon system acquisition programs.

Mr. Coleman holds a B.S. in Electronics and Computer Engineering from George Mason University and an M.B.A. from Marymount University.

This podcast discussion features Alex Macdonald, NASA’s chief economist. He also serves as program executive of the International Space Station National Lab. He was previously the Senior Economic Advisor in the Office of the Administrator and was the founding program executive of NASA's Emerging Space Office. Dr. Macdonald is a former executive staff specialist on commercial space at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a former research faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, and has worked on small satellite mission design at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

Dr. Macdonald received his undergraduate degree in economics from Queen's University in Canada, his master's degree in economics from the University of British Columbia, and his doctorate from the University of Oxford. 

This podcast discussion features Conner Prochaska, chief commercialization officer for the Department of Energy and director of the Office of Technology Transitions. His office advances the economic, energy, and national security interests of the United States by expanding the commercial impact of the department’s research and development portfolio.

Prior to his current roles, Mr. Prochaska was senior advisor and chief of staff of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). He previously worked at a public investment fund and also served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Navy.

Mr. Prochaska earned his J.D. at The George Washington University School of Law and his B.A. at Texas A&M University.

This podcast discussion features Dr. Douglas Terrier, NASA’s chief technologist. In this role, Dr. Terrier serves as the agency's principal advisor and advocate on technology policy and programs, helping plot the strategic direction of the agency's space technology program. 

Prior to his current position, Dr. Terrier was the chief technologist of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. He also was the deputy director of NASA Johnson’s Strategic Opportunity and Partnership Development Office. Dr. Terrier worked in the commercial aerospace sector for a total of 23 years with Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and General Electric Aircraft Engines.

Dr. Terrier earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas.

This episode features Kevin O’Connell, Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. O’Connell leads an office with responsibility as a space industry advocate within the Executive Branch of the U.S. government. Previously, Mr. O’Connell served as the CEO of Innovative Analytics and Training, a professional services firm focused on analysis and decision support for U.S. government and commercial clients. He also served as a senior consultant to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and as an independent advisor to the Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.