Mitch Elson Email & Phone Number

Tijeras, Nm, Us

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Burbank Ca

Greater Seattle Area

It was a difficult choice to leave Integrity Applications Incorporated, however after having met Curt Blake, the Spaceflight Services President, and being exposed to their current work as well as the ambitions of the company I knew this was the place for me. While others have tried to make rideshare both profitable for the company and support the customer requirements there has not been any resounding success. Spaceflight has changed that and I am so lucky to be a part of this. At Spaceflight I am both a Mission Manager as well as the lead for the Mission Management group. This couldn't be a better position as I still get to directly work on missions but I also have the opportunity to lead and mentor a group of very talented individuals. I have always believed that there needs to be a change in the space community to make it more accessible. Here at Spaceflight I am encouraged to take a different approach to executing the missions, this includes not only the satellite integration but we also focus on transportation, facilities and personnel responsibility. The position also requires a great deal of creativity, which allows me the opportunity to reach out to many different vendors or tapping internal capability to provide solutions that would not have been available in the Government programs. I am by this position and I look to bring my experience to Spaceflight and help shape the future of space access for what I will term as the disadvantaged satellite programs (those that cannot afford the full cost of launch but have found a way to explore and make a business out of space).

Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

I was privileged to work for Integrity Applications Incorporated as well as the Operationally Responsive Space Office when it was still a place that promised transformation for the DoD space acquisition and execution. While still in the U.S. Air Force I had provided launch vehicle and mission CONOP support from the early days of ORS when it was known as the Joint Warfighter Space office up until the time I joined the office full time. I directly supported the Launch and Range Government lead providing technical advise and program management duties. During this time we launched two satellites that demonstrated direct support to our warfighters in a responsive and cost effective manner. We also demonstrated the concept of an integrated payload stack where a stack of 30 payloads essentially looked like a single payload to the launch service provider. This was another successful Minotaur I launch and we set a record for the most satellites launched on a single vehicle, unfortunately a day later a Russian launch beat us. During this time the office was teaming with the Sandia National Laboratories in the development of the Super Strypi launch system. I supported the office and the SNL team with technical advice in regards to executing space programs focusing on the integration of payloads to the launch system.

Kirtland Afb, Nm

While serving as the Technical Adviser for the Rocket System Launch Program, a part of the Space and Missile Systems Center, I directed the technical execution of the launch vehicle contracts. This included the contract development phase of not only the launch vehicle contracts but the SETA and Mission Assurance contracts as well. I served as the front door to the Government customer base seeking launch services, working with our launch service contractors to develop a capability that met the mission requirements. During this time I participated in several failure investigations, to include both Taurus fairing mishaps as well as leading the Government efforts to gain confidence in the Minotaur IV after an issue with the Government provided motors was discovered that threatened the capability of the system. I am proudest of my efforts working with NASA to gain approval to use the Minotaur V as the launch system to take LADEE to the moon. This effort included the development of the upgraded Minotaur launch system as well as working with NASA HQs and other Government leaders in a highly political decision process.

Program/Project Manager on numerous space launch and target launch rockets and missiles using decommissioned ICBM assets. Provided management of government and contractor teams for all aspects of launch integration and processing.