Retired U.S. Marine Angel Smith Appointed Executive Director of SmallSat Alliance

The SmallSat Alliance, a prominent coalition representing over 50 companies in the small satellite ecosystem, has announced the appointment of retired U.S. Marine Angel Smith as its new executive director.

Smith, a former combat pilot and staffer for the House Intelligence Committee, most recently served as an executive at Microsoft Corp.

The SmallSat Alliance advocates for investments in space technology and U.S. leadership in the global space economy. Its members include satellite manufacturers, operators, payload providers, launch service providers, ground services, and data analytics providers. The organization aims to maximize the potential of low-cost constellations for government use by leveraging advancements in the tech sector.

“Under Smith’s leadership, the SmallSat Alliance will continue to champion the commercial and small satellite economy, focusing on leveraging advancements in the tech sector to maximize the potential of low-cost constellations for government use,...This includes exploiting the benefits of cloud computing, edge processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous surface systems to support missions from low Earth orbit to cislunar orbits.” - SmallSat Alliance Statement

“With the Space Development Agency having successfully tested and validated the concept that small satellites can offer significant support to the warfighter, I am eager to collaborate with government entities alongside our member companies to leverage the power of commercial technology.” - Angel Smith

With Smith at the helm, the SmallSat Alliance is poised to further its mission of advancing the commercial and small satellite sectors, ensuring the U.S. maintains its leadership in the rapidly evolving space economy.