CHOOSING A LAUNCH PROVIDER – LARGER ROCKETS

Dr. Josef Koller is a Systems Director for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy, serving as a senior analyst and team leader on topics that cut across policy, technology, and economics. Prior to joining Aerospace, Dr. Koller served as a Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Space Policy where he directly supported key national and international strategy efforts for space-related U.S. Government and DoD policy matters including commercial remote sensing, space traffic management, and related congressional affairs. Prior to that assignment, Dr. Koller managed and co-lead over 40 scientists in the “Space Science and Applications Group” at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Koller also established and led the Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School to promote graduate student research and outreach at the Laboratory.

Dr. Koller has over 17 years of experience with global security and space science programs. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications with 700 citations. Dr. Koller has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Rice University.

Stephanie Bednarek is the Director of Commercial Sales at SpaceX. She oversees the company’s relationships with customers and satellite manufacturers in North and South America. Previously, Stephanie was the Government Affairs Manager where she managed executive branch, legislative, state and federal agency affairs related to SpaceX’s civil space activities including strategy, policy development, and research.

Prior to starting at SpaceX in 2008, Stephanie held positions at the George Washington University Space Policy Institute, Space Foundation, Space Studies Board at the National Research Council, Aerospace Industries Association, and Orbital Sciences Corp.

Stephanie is on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of Space and Satellite Professionals International and a mentor for the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program. Previously, Stephanie has served on the Board of Directors for the American Astronautical Society, National Space Society and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. Her other volunteer positions include serving as the Public Policy Chair of the AIAA National Capital Section, the Vice President of Programs for Women in Aerospace, and the Commercial Space Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association.

Stephanie received a B.S. degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in science and technology policy from George Washington University. She also studied at the International Space University.

Curt Blake, CEO and president of Spaceflight, has more than 25 years of executive experience in high-growth technology industries. Under Curt’s leadership, Spaceflight has successfully negotiated the launch of nearly 300 satellites on behalf of its customers and has secured contracts to execute about 10 missions in 2020. Curt oversaw and led Spaceflight’s successful execution of SSO-A, Spaceflight’s first dedicated rideshare mission that launched more than 60 satellites in December of 2018.

Before moving into his role as CEO and president, Curt served as senior vice president and general counsel for Spaceflight. Prior to joining Spaceflight, he held a range of senior executive and general counsel roles at Microsoft, Starwave, Corbis and Aldus.

Stella Guillen is a VP of Sales & Marketing for Arianespace, Inc. (AEI) responsible for all aspects of Arianespace’s launch services sales and marketing activities for US and Canadian clients. She is also responsible for working with companies developing LEO constellations and small satellites providing global satellite communication services, remote sensing, and earth observation services, and science and technology.

Ms. Guillen’s background spans the satellite industry, from telecommunications to launch services. She has led global sales efforts for SpaceX, Spaceflight and some of the largest satellite fleet operators, such as SES and Intelsat.

Ms. Guillen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University and has a Master’s of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. She was born in Peru, is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and is learning French at the moment.

Alexander is the Chief Executive Officer of GK Launch Services (GK), a company established in 2017 by the decision of the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos”. The company is an operator of the commercial launches of the Soyuz-2 LV from the Russian launch sites. The key task for GK is to develop the services of Soyuz-2 commercial launches and to market the Russian launch vehicles worldwide. Alexander Serkin has been the CEO of the company since its foundation.

Mr. Serkin’s professional career has always been devoted to space industry and commercial space launches with Russian launch vehicles. After graduating from Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics (nowadays – Plekhanov Russian University of Economics), in 2005, he joined the International Space Company Kosmotras where, in 2012, Alexander Serkin was appointed Director General. Under his management and close involvement, 5 successful launches of the Dnepr LV were carried out from 2013 to 2015.

In 2017, Alexander Serkin took up duty as CEO of GK Launch Services. The company is successfully fulfilling the commercial contracts for satellite launches on the Soyuz-2 rocket from the Russian launch sites.