Israeli Space
Week 2026

Amit Kshatriya currently services as the NASA Associateadministrator, the highest-ranking civil servant at the agency, and senioradvisor to Administrator Jared Isaacman. Kshatriya leads the agency’s 10 centerdirectors, the mission directorate associate administrators at NASAHeadquarters and acts as the agency’s chief operating officer.

Kshatriya previously served as the deputy associateadministrator for the Moon to Mars Program in the Exploration SystemsDevelopment Mission Directorate (ESDMD) where he was responsible for programplanning and implementation for human missions to the Moon and Mars. Prior tohis ESDMD role, he served as the acting deputy associate administrator for theCommon Exploration Systems Development Division, acting manager of the ISSVehicle Office, and a space station flight director.

Kshatriya is the recipient of a Silver Snoopy and the NASAOutstanding Leadership Medal for actions as the lead flight director for the50th expedition to the space station.

André Kuipers is an ESA astronaut and one of Europe’s most experienced spacefarers. Born on October 5, 1958, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he has flown two missions to the International Space Station, spending a total of 204 days in space.

Kuipers holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Amsterdam and began his career in aerospace medicine, specializing in the physiological effects of high acceleration and microgravity. His research focused on human adaptation to spaceflight, equilibrium systems, and pilot health under extreme conditions, work he conducted at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam and the Netherlands Aerospace Medical Centre.

He joined the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Corps in 1999 and completed ESA’s Basic Astronaut Training Programme in 2002. His first space mission, ESA’s DELTA mission in 2004, included a 12-day stay aboard the ISS, during which he conducted more than 20 scientific experiments. His second mission, PromISSe (2011–2012), was a long-duration expedition lasting nearly six months, during which he contributed to approximately 50 experiments and supported critical docking operations, including ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Since returning to Earth, André Kuipers has remained deeply engaged in space outreach, education, and sustainability efforts. He is a passionate advocate for science and technology education and has served as an ambassador for numerous environmental and educational initiatives. In recognition of his contributions, he has received multiple honors, including Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Audrey Kiefer is a fractional executive and strategic advisor in the aviation and aerospace sectors, specializing in high-profile, high-stakes customer journeys. She built and led the crew experience program for the first three private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, while also managing guest experience, marketing partnerships, and family support. Audrey’s expertise spans customer success, business development, operations, and marketing. Today, she works with companies to design and implement strategies that reduce service risks, improve customer satisfaction, and support business growth.

Charles F. Bolden Jr. charted a pioneering career in the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  He flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and orbited the Earth on four separate occasions as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot and commander. In 2009, President Barack Obama asked Bolden to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA. He was the first African American confirmed by the US Senate to take on the role, a precedent that Bolden insists is only important if he is one day followed by women or persons of color.  With a focus on the future, he tells his audiences that he is just an ordinary person who has been blessed with opportunities to do extraordinary things as he challenges them to consider what can be accomplished when people dream big dreams together.

Chris Quilty beganshaping the space sector more than two decades ago as a trusted analyst, mediacommentator, and two-time Wall Street Journal “Best on the Street” honoreeduring his tenure at Raymond James. He launched formal coverage of the spaceindustry in the mid-2000s and has since authored thousands of company-specific,macro, and thematic research reports.

Building on deep sectorexpertise and a reputation for sharp, data-driven insight, Chris founded QuiltySpace (formerly Quilty Analytics) in 2016. Today, he’s recognized as a leadingvoice across the entire space ecosystem — spanning manufacturing, launch,satcom, Earth observation, hardware, and downstream analytics. He frequentlyadvises investors, government agencies, prime contractors, and satelliteoperators.

Chris holds a B.S. inSystems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from the Universityof Chicago.

Christian Maender is a seasoned commercial space executive with over 25 years of leadership in human spaceflight, specializing in business strategy, commercialization, and in-space services.  He has established his new company, Innovian Space, which is focused on building new in-space enterprises, leveraging his expertise to drive the next generation of space commercialization.  

As a founding executive at Axiom Space, he played a pivotal role in scaling the company from a startup to an industry leader, with Axiom securing over $2.2 billion in customer contracts and raising $500 million in investment.  At Axiom, Christian led the development of new market frameworks for commercial space stations while pioneering international government partnerships for private astronaut missions. His work in in-space manufacturing and research enabled the launch of over 100 customer projects to low Earth orbit, advancing novel applications in microgravity. Previously, at NASA, he spearheaded initiatives to expand ISS commercialization, optimize research utilization, and enhance international collaboration.

InApril 2022, Eytan Stibbe participated in the historic Ax-1 mission to theInternational Space Station alongside Michael López-Alegría, Larry Connor, andMark Pathy. In preparation for the mission, he initiated the Rakia Mission, acollaborative effort between Israel’s public and private sectors—includingeducators, students, scientists, and artists—with the vision that space is forall. Rakia was the first space mission to incorporate impact measurement acrossall its activities.

Followinghis return, Eytan established Rakia as a public benefit company dedicated toadvancing Israel’s space sector through international and local partnerships,with a particular focus on human spaceflight.

Withover 30 years of experience in impact investment, Eytan is a founding partnerat Vital Capital, an investment firm active in developing countries. His workspans sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and communitydevelopment, guided by the principles of humanitarian impact and financialsustainability.

In2025, Eytan was appointed Chancellor of the International Space University,recognized for his contributions as an astronaut, entrepreneur, and advocatefor space accessibility.

Helives in Israel, is a member of the World Economic Forum, and serves on theboards of several universities and NGOs. He continues to support the mission ofthe Israel Space Forum and the growth of Israel’s space ecosystem.

ANASA veteran who flew on all three Space Shuttles, Garrett Reisman was selected by NASA as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998. His first mission in 2008was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour which dropped him off for a 95 day stay aboard the International Space Station after which he returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. His second mission in 2010 was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During these missions, Garrett performed 3 space walks, operated the Space Station Robot Arm and was a flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle.  Not only was he an astronaut, but Garrett was also an aquanaut serving as a crew member on NEEMO V, living on the bottom of the sea in the Aquarius deep underwater habitat for 2 weeks.

After leaving NASA in early 2011, he joined SpaceX where he served in multiple capacities, most recently as the Director of Space Operations. 

Garrett stepped down from his full-time position at SpaceX in May of 2018 and in June 2018 he became a Professor of Astronautical Engineering in the Viterbi School at USC.  He continued to support SpaceX as a Senior Advisor until 2024. Today Garrett continues to contribute to the commercial space sector by working as an Astronaut Advisor at VAST.

Garrett attended the University of Pennsylvania and Caltech where he received his Ph.D in 1997.

Jeffrey Manber is recognized as a leading pioneer in the international commercial space community. Currently, he serves as the Senior Representative to the Chairman of Voyager Technologies. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Nanoracks (since acquired by Voyager.) Jeffrey also leads the Voyager Science Park initiative, VISTA.

Jeffrey is the Co-Founder of Nanoracks. He served as the Chief Executive Officer from 2009 until 2021 where he broke barriers for access to space and oversaw the growth of the company into the largest commercial user of the ISS.

As the only American to ever work officially for the Russian space program, Mr. Manber served as Managing Director of Energia USA, the American arm of RSC Energia. As CEO of the Dutch company MirCorp, he leased the Russian space station “Mir” and oversaw the first ever commercially funded70-day crewed mission. His experience developing the business base for Mir and the International Space Station, helping pave the way for thriving LEO market economy.

Jeffrey is the author of five books and the recipient of numerous industry awards. In 2023, Jeffrey was awarded NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Public Achievement Medal. Most recently he was inducted into the IAF International Hall of Fame.

Jodi’s practice focuses on technology and telecommunications, specializing in space, satellite, UAS/C-UAS, and novel technologies before government agencies, as well as B2B commercial contracting and transactions.  She is a trusted advisor and guides clients at all stages on licensing, spectrum allocation, and transactional matters relating to the provision of drone and space-based or -enabled services.

Jodi has extensive experience, both in-house and in private practice, representing clients in regulatory proceedings before U.S. regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Telecommunications and Informational Administration (NTIA),  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as in national security reviews before the “Team Telecom” executive branch agencies and the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).  She also has experience representing clients in proceedings before regulators in foreign markets.  

Jodi works with companies of all sizes to structure, negotiate, and review commercial agreements, with a particular focus on transactions between companies in the space, satellite, UAS/C-UAS, and technology sectors. Jodi’s practice is designed to help her clients efficiently manage their inherently global networks, including  coordinating among internal and external advisors to ensure on-going compliance and seamless cross-border and extra-planetary operations.

Dr. John Wensveen is the President of the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France, leading the premier global institution dedicated to space education, innovation, and international collaboration. Under his leadership, ISU is expanding its role as a catalyst for groundbreaking research and strategic partnerships that shape the future of space exploration.

Prior to ISU, John served as Chief Innovation Officer at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), where he spearheaded a multimillion-dollar innovation hub that attracted top entrepreneurs, cutting-edge technologies, and major investments. He has held leadership roles in academia, including Vice Provost at Miami Dade College, Professor and Head of the School of Aviation at Purdue University, and Dean of Aviation at Dowling College.

John’s industry expertise spans aviation, aerospace, and business strategy, with executive roles at Mango Aviation Partners, Radixx International, MAXjet Airways, and Canada 3000 Airlines. He is a TEDx speaker, media contributor, and author of two leading industry books, including the best-seller Air Transportation: A Global Management Perspective.

John holds a Ph.D. and master’s degrees from Cardiff University (UK) and a B.A. from the University of Victoria (Canada).

The Right Honourable Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut, engineer and diplomat. She was the Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021.

As an astronaut, Ms. Payette flew two missions in space in 1999 and 2009 for the construction the International Space Station. She holds a commercial pilot license and military wings from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ms. Payette worked as crew liaison officer in Russia and Europe and served many years as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. She was Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007.

After retiring from the Astronaut office, she worked as a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC and later as Director of the Montreal Science Centre.

Ms. Payette has served on the board of several public and non-profit organisations, contributing to the development of public policies in education, high-performance sport, and science and technology. She remains active in aerospace as technical advisor and speaker. She is an Academician and Trustee of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), a Senior Fellow at Massey College of the University of Toronto and President of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE).

Ms. Payette can converse in six languages and has a passion for sports and music. She currently sings with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra choir and during the winter, she volunteers as a ski patrol.

She is a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Kelli Kedis Ogborn is a space economy strategist operating at the intersection of innovation and market formation. She advises organizations navigating the transition from technology development to scalable, market-ready enterprises within complex and capital-intensive environments.

With extensive experience across the U.S. government and private sector, her leadership has influenced the strategic direction of companies entering and scaling within the space market. Her approach integrates technical, policy, and market insight to drive durable competitive advantage, manage risk, and enable sustainable long-term growth within emerging markets.

Kedis Ogborn has held senior leadership roles across aerospace and advanced technology sectors and is a frequently published author and sought-after speaker on the economic and policy forces shaping the global space economy.

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Leonard leads global commercial business development at Katalyst Space Technologies, a defense tech company focused on dynamic space operations. Katalyst is creating autonomous robotic spacecraft that are capable of autonomously rendezvousing and docking with target spacecraft, performing hardware upgrades and other in-space services, and conducting space domain awareness missions. Leonard is responsible for driving global growth in the company's commercial business. Prior to joining Katalyst, Leonard spent a decade in technology, media, and telecommunications, joining the industry as a reliability engineer and growing through various roles to become a finance executive driving finance strategy in a $2 billion ad tech business unit at a publicly traded Fortune 50 multinational company. His academic qualifications include aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, electronic engineering, and law. And he is an ISU alum from SSP22.

Mark Pathy is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist as well as a Mission Specialist on Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission. Pathy is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Montreal-based MAVRIK, a privately-owned investment and financing company he founded that focuses on innovation and social impact. As a strong believer in the importance of philanthropy, Pathy is a member of the boards and Executive Committees of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Dans La Rue and the Pathy Family Foundation.

Prior to founding MAVRIK, Pathy was President and CEO of Fednav International Ltd., an international dry-bulk shipping company, and co-CEO of its parent company Fednav Limited. He remains a member of the group’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Pathy is the Chairman of the Board of publicly traded leading music, media, and technology company Stingray Group Inc., a position he has held since November 2017 after initially joining the Board in 2015.

Through the Ax-1 mission, Pathy will become Canada’s 2nd private astronaut and the 12th Canadian to go to space. Pathy obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Business Administration from INSEAD. He continues to reside in Canada with his wife and three children.

Mattia Pianorsi is the Managing Director of Voyager Technologies Europe. He joined the company as Business Development Manager in January 2025 and was appointed Managing Director in July 2025.

Previously, he worked as a space economy researcher in the Finance Department at SDA Bocconi School of Management, focusing on project finance for space infrastructure, venture capital financing for start-ups, and business model innovation. He contributed to several applied research projects for public and private organizations in the space sector. He also served as an Assistant Professor, teaching Structured and Project Finance and Investment Banking in MBA courses. In addition, he supported the Asian Development Bank as a research assistant, working on various aspects of infrastructure financing.

From 2021 to 2022, Mattia served as a Space Economy Expert at the Ministry of Technological Innovation and Digital Transformation (MITD). In this role, he supported the Draghi Government in allocating National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) funds to the space sector, contributed to the allocation of resources for the 2022 European Space Agency Ministerial Meeting, and facilitated government–industry partnerships and agreements in the space sector.

Mattia earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florence in 2012 and his master’s degree in management from Bocconi University in 2014. He later completed the Executive Management Program in Banking (2015) at SDA Bocconi School of Management. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, where his research focuses on business model innovation in the space sector.

Michael López-Alegría is a decorated astronaut who returned to low-Earth orbit for the sixth time in 2024 as commander of Axiom Mission 3. He also commanded Axiom Space’s first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in2022.

He has more than 40 years of aviation & space experience with the U.S. Navy &NASA in a variety of roles including Naval Aviator, engineering test pilot& program manager, NASA astronaut, & International Space Station commander. He also holds NASA records for most extravehicular activities or ”spacewalks” (10). He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in2021.

He earned a B.S. in systems engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy & an M.S. in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Simon Peter “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is the Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Dr. Worden was Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center until retiring on March 31, 2015. He held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers. On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, UK, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives. At the press conference, Dr. Worden was introduced as the Chairman for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In this capacity he also leads the Breakthrough Initiatives as its Executive Director. From 2017 to the present, Brigadier General Worden has been an Advisor to the Luxembourg Space Agency and was appointed as a Knight-Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2018 for his space services.

Randy “Komrade” Bresnik was selected as an astronaut in 2004. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1989.  During his military career, he attended the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI) and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). After attending U.S. Naval Test Pilot’s School he became an F/A-18 Test Pilot and was eventually deployed to  Kuwait to fly combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A veteran of Space Shuttle mission STS-129, he has also trained as a  Cave-a-naut with the European Space Agency to test living deep beneath the Earth’s surface as well as an Aqua-naut for NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) 19.  In space, Bresnik most recently served  as the Commander of the International Space Station for Expedition 53 and  flight engineer for Expedition 52. He has more than 32 hours of Spacewalk experience over the course of 5 EVAs. A retired Colonel in  the United States Marine Corps, he has logged more than 7,000 hours in 91 types of aircraft/rotorcraft/gliders and an additional 3,600 hours in spacecraft. He is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).Currently, he serves as the Assistant-to-the-Chief of  the Astronaut Office for Exploration managing the development and testing of everything that will operate beyond low earth orbit on Artemis missions.

Ms. Bresnik serves as the Associate General Counsel for theInternational and Space Law for NASA’s Office of General Counsel, Washington,D.C.  In this role her duties include serving as the lead forinternational and space law matters to all organizational components of NASA toensure legal implementation of NASA’s international matters.  She overseasand advises on senior-level negotiations among NASA and international spaceagency representatives for procurements and agreements and legislative andpolicy initiatives and serves on U.S. government working groups related tospace law and policy.  She was lead counsel for the design, operation andutilization of the ISS and Gateway Programs for almost two decades and wasprimary counsel for NASA’s implementation of the first private astronautmission to ISS.  She has also been instrumental in NASA’s Artemis missionsto include negotiating the Gateway platform agreement, advising on the draftingof the Artemis Accords and advising on cooperative activities on the lunarsurface.  She serves as part of the U.S. delegation to the United NationsOuter Space Legal Subcommittee which aims to increase coherence and synergy ininternational cooperation in space activities at all levels. 

Before joining NASA in 2004, she also held positions withthe Office of the General Counsel of the Air Force and the Undersecretary ofthe Air Force for International Affairs at the Pentagon and a position withNorthrop Grumman’s Air Combat Systems and Unmanned Air Systems and clerked forthe Superior Court of New Jersey, in Camden, New Jersey.  She is also anadjunct Professor of Space Law and faculty advisor for the Space Law Society atthe University of Houston Law Center and has lectured as a Fulbright Specialist. She speaks often both domestic and internationally on topics of space law.

Dr. Sian Leo Proctor is a visionary poet, artist, explorer, and geoscience educator. In 2021, Dr. Proctor made history as the first artist selected to go to space on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She is the first woman commercial spaceship pilot and the only African-American woman to be a mission pilot. Her motto is Space2inspire and her mission is to bridge the gap between art and science by encouraging everyone to let their EarthLight shine. She is an international speaker and the 2024-25 U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space. Her SpaceX Inspiration4 spacesuit is currently on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

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Simon’s dream is to build a future where thousands of humans live and work beyond Earth. As Founder of Sodalis he collaborates with governments, commercial space operators and individuals to facilitate access to space, driven by the belief that nobody should go to space alone. 

 A leader in space business development, Simon spent five years at Axiom Space, where he spearheaded go-to-market strategies for their private astronaut program. He also worked closely with international governments to implement space ecosystem projects and facilitate sovereign access for research and exploration. 

Simon holds a Master of Space Studies from the International Space University and a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Adelaide.  

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At Vast, Tom leads private crew relations and recruitment for Haven missions. Tom has spent nearly 20 years marketing, selling, and delivering private astronaut flights to the International Space Station, including the flights of Richard Garriott, Charles Simonyi, Guy Laliberte, Yusaku Maezawa MZ) and Yozo Hirano. Before joining Vast in May 2024, Tom served as President at Space Adventures.

Tom was born and educated in the United Kingdom, but now calls Northern Virginia his home, where is the proud father of twin teenage girls.

Veronica La Regina has a distinguished career, prominently influencing the space industry through leadership roles in strategy, innovation, and business development

As Space Mentor, she advises companies, emerging space agencies and investors on market positioning, licensing, and commercialization in the global space ecosystem. She has previously held senior roles at the European Space Agency, Italian Space Agency, and Nanoracks Europe, and has advised governments and financial institutions on emerging space programs.

Veronica is a Full Member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and lectures at international universities including the International Space University and Hangzhou International Innovation Institute.

She holds degrees in Law, Economics, Ergonomics, Systems Engineering, and Space Policy, and has received several awards including the Comitato Leonardo Award (2025) and Business Resilience Award (2022). Fluent in multiple languages, she actively promotes global cooperation for a sustainable and inclusive space economy.