NOAA Appoints Members to New Advisory Committee on Space Commerce
NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of 17 individuals to serve on the inaugural Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space (ACES). This Federal advisory committee, consisting of diverse experts representing interests across the space community, will provide independent recommendations to NOAA on commercial space-related policy, regulations, and related matters.
“This distinguished group of experts will help guide our efforts to advance U.S. leadership in the global commercial space industry,” said Richard DalBello, Director, Office of Space Commerce. “We are delighted to have them on board.”
The following members have accepted two-year appointments to ACES. Ms. Caryn Schenewerk and Mr. David Gauthier will serve as the inaugural chair and vice chair, respectively. Both are highly respected space experts with extensive experience in government and industry.
- Ms. Caryn Schenewerk, Georgetown University (Chair)
- Mr. David Gauthier, GXO Inc. (Vice Chair)
- Ms. Blake Bullock, Northrop Grumman
- Mr. Dave Cavossa, Commercial Spaceflight Federation
- Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Axiom Space
- Dr. Brien Flewelling, ExoAnalytic Solutions
- Mr. Tony Frazier, LeoLabs
- Col (ret) El Gardner, Aperio Global
- Mr. Alex Gilbert, Zeno Power
- Mr. Kalpak Gude, Amazon Kuiper
- Mr. Chris Kunstadter, Triton Space LLC
- Dr. Clare Martin, Astroscale U.S.
- Mr. Michael Nicolls, SpaceX
- Ms. Danielle Piñeres, Planet Labs PBC
- Ms. Audrey Schaffer, Slingshot Aerospace
- Mr. Al Tadros, Redwire
NOAA is in the process of appointing a 17th member, Mr. Jared Hautamaki, in his personal capacity as a space law expert.
The membership slate includes a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, and finance professionals with significant expertise in the space industry. Together, they will examine key issues affecting the growth, sustainability, and leadership of U.S. commercial space activities.
The Office of Space Commerce aims to convene the first public ACES meeting in Washington, D.C., within the next two months. During their inaugural session, the members will set priorities and begin shaping strategies to address pressing issues in the commercial space sector. ACES will meet at least twice per year.
NOAA intends to appoint additional members to ACES in 2025 to establish a staggered cycle of two-year terms.
ACES is an evolution of the former Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES), which advised NOAA on satellite imaging regulations. Earlier this year, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo approved the expansion of the committee’s scope to address a broader range of commercial space issues.
ACES functions solely in an advisory capacity and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. ACES does not exercise program management or regulatory development responsibilities nor make any decisions directly affecting the programs on which it provides advice.ACES functions solely in an advisory capacity and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. ACES does not exercise program management or regulatory development responsibilities nor make any decisions directly affecting the programs on which it provides advice.