Nanoracks has appointed Marshall Smith, the former Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for NASA’s Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I), Human Exploration and Operations (HEO), as the firm’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Space Stations.
Nanoracks recently announced a new office in Huntsville, Alabama, which Smith will lead. He will also coordinate and direct the Nanoracks Outpost Program, which is focused on the continued use of upper stages past their primary mission, as well as the Nanoracks crewed free flyer efforts, both within the US Government and with international partners.
Smith brings to the company decades of leadership in designing and developing complex, in- space systems. As the DAA for HEO SE&I, he led the development of NASA’s human spaceflight strategy and exploration architecture plans for LEO, cislunar, and Mars. His recent roles also include Director of Human Lunar Programs, in which he led NASA’s initiative to return to the Moon including directing the development and formulation of the Gateway and the Human Landing System Programs.
He also brings significant knowledge and experience of integrating large, complex programs. As the Director of Cross-Program Systems Integration and the Exploration Systems Development Chief Engineer, he formulated and led the systems engineering process for NASA’s next deep space transportation systems and addressed technical issues that span across multiple large programs.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Marshall’s experience and reputation to drive our efforts to assure a new generation of commercial space stations,” said Jeffrey Manber, Chief Executive Officer of Nanoracks. “I’ve gotten to know Marshall very well over the last several years and have come to appreciate his understanding of how to evolve the NASA legacy into the commercial sector.” continued Manber, “Put simply, Marshall gets it. He understands that the innovation and cost efficiencies of the private sector are key to furthering American leadership in space.”
Smith said, “I believe that Nanoracks will be one of the leaders in securing continued American presence in low-Earth orbit and developing new markets at the Moon and Mars. I was impressed to learn how much Nanoracks has quietly accomplished in advancing the use of in- space platforms and look forward to moving both Nanoracks and the new Huntsville office forward to ensure a vibrant future for commercial space stations and platforms.” Smith will also be working closely with the Voyager Space Holdings team to use the full capabilities of Voyager. “I share the vision of everyone at Voyager. There is a need for a vertically integrated NewSpace company with entrepreneurial spirit that will drive the future of our space programs by scaling up successful, smaller, space companies. Being part of this new team is something that truly excites me.”
