David B. Spencer

David B. Spencer, Ph.D., MBA has a diverse work experience in various leadership and academic roles. David is currently a Senior Project Leader and Space Domain Awareness Lead at The Aerospace Corporation since November 2021. David previously served as a Systems Director at the same company from March 2020 to November 2021.

Prior to their work at The Aerospace Corporation, they had a long tenure at Penn State University. David held the position of Professor (Emeritus) from July 2021, which is ongoing. David was previously a Professor from July 2012 to June 2021 and an Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering from July 2005 to June 2012. Additionally, they served as the Director of Graduate Programs in the College of Engineering from June 2008 to May 2011 and as an Assistant Professor from August 1999 to June 2005.

David B. Spencer has also been involved in various professional societies. David is currently the Vice President of Publications at the American Astronautical Society since January 2021. David is a Full Member and Secretary of Commission 3 at the International Academy of Astronautics since June 2019. David is also a Member of the Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC) at the International Astronautical Federation since 2009.

Furthermore, they have served in leadership positions at the American Astronautical Society. David was the Vice President of Technical from January 2019 to December 2020 and previously held the position of Vice President of Publications from 2014 to 2018. David also served as the Vice President of Technical from January 2010 to December 2013.

David B. Spencer has worked in the United States Department of Defense as a Senior Advisor for Space, Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization from November 2019 to March 2020. In this role, they provided technical and policy support to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and other senior government leaders on space technology and space policy issues.

David has also worked as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at AAAS from September 2019 to March 2020.

David B. Spencer, Ph.D., MBA has a strong educational background in engineering and business. David obtained their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky between the years 1979 and 1983. Continuing their studies, they pursued a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University from 1983 to 1985. With their growing interest in the field, David went on to complete their Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder from 1991 to 1994. To further broaden their knowledge and skills, they pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Business Administration from Penn State University, which they successfully completed between the years 2008 and 2010. Overall, David's educational journey encompasses a strong technical foundation in engineering combined with a management-focused business education.