Enabling Multi-Domain Space Operations

Preston Dunlap has over 20 years of executive leadership experience across technology, national security, and private investment. He is the founder of Arkenstone Ventures, serves on Boards and as Lead Independent Director of Pixxel Space Technologies, advises Fortune 100 and growth companies, private equity, venture capital, and institutions such as RAND, Stanford, and MIT and is a Senior External Advisor at Bain & Company.

He led the Defense Department’s Investment Committee strategy, analysis, and diligence for the Secretary of Defense to allocate and deploy $750B+ annually in industry sectors supporting national security, such as infrastructure, services, space, cybersecurity and software, AI, communications, transportation and logistics, ships, aircraft, vehicles, and weapons.

Mr. Dunlap started $250B+ of new programs with 4 Secretaries of Defense, including the newly unveiled B-21 bomber, Hypersonic Prompt Strike, classified space and intelligence, and Joint All-Domain Command and Control programs.

He led initiatives with the Vice President of the United States and Cabinet on the future of commercial, civil, and national security space, transformed federal Venture Capital investment, was the first Chief Technology Officer of the Space Force and Air Force with $75B of products, and served on the ground floor of successful software and infrastructure companies.

He holds a Master of Science in Operations Research and Management Science from George Mason University, a Bachelor’s degree in both Computer Science and Political Science from Duke University, and was a Harvard National Security Executive Fellow.

Mr. Dunlap is frequently cited as an authority in international media and as an expert witness for the United States Congress. His awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, Secretary of the Air Force Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, and Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Dr. Jun Asakawa founded Pale Blue in 2020 to develop next-generation space mobility after working as an assistant professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Sciences. He has led the development of propulsion systems for Procyon Probe (world’s first deep space microsatellite), AQT-D Satellite (water propulsion system), EQUULEUS Satellite (water propulsion system) and other small satellite/spacecraft. With his expertise in propulsion systems, Dr. Asakawa has won MIT Tech Review “Innovators Under 35 Japan 2020,” IEPC “Best Paper Award,” and has been selected as Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts 2022.

Karan is the Co-Founder and CEO of K2 Space. K2 Space is developing a high powered, low cost satellite bus platform that delivers the capability of exquisite satellites at the price point and speed of small satellites. Redesigned from the reaction wheel up, the K2 bus is designed to handle multiple orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO), handle multiple use cases and multi-manifest in launch vehicles like Falcon 9 – delivering 200kW of array power in a single launch. Prior to founding K2 Space, Karan helped build an artificial intelligence company – leading it from seed stage to 9-figure exit.

Before that, he spent almost 10yrs at the Boston Consulting Group, launching new businesses and leading turnaround efforts for their Fortune 500 clients. Karan studied Math and Economics at Northwestern University before getting an MBA from INSEAD.

Dave Machuga is the interim Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, joining the team from Space Mission Systems within Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems, a division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security,
As the SMS vice president and chief engineer, Machuga is responsible for technical execution for all programs within SMS totaling 3 billion dollars and more than 6,000 employees.

His previous role was director of Ground Design and Mission Support for SI&WS, where he was responsible for over 1,200 engineers, as well as technical program execution, engineering technology development and operational support of ground systems for intelligence, defense, civil and commercial customers.
Machuga has more than 25 years of experience in the electronics and defense industries, with expertise in program and business management, technical management, business development, operations and strategic planning. When he joined The Boeing Company, he was president and general manager for Digital Receiver Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of Boeing. While there, he updated DRT’s technology development plans, aligning them with evolving customer missions and creating a new, multi-mission platform.
Machuga earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Peter Marquez, Head of Policy for Global Security and Space, oversees global strategic programs and space policy activities for Amazon Web Services.

Peter served at the White House for the three previous Administrations. Peter was the Director for Space Policy at the National Security Council for Presidents Bush and Obama and a Senior Advisor to the National Space Council in the previous Administration. In these roles, Peter was responsible for the writing, implementation, and coordination of the U.S. national space policies. In addition, he also had responsibilities for special programs, defense intelligence, missile defense, and other strategic capabilities. Peter worked with foreign governments to; establish their own space agencies, assist in the writing of their national space policies, and create interagency processes to execute national space projects as well as development of other key strategic national security programs.

In industry, Peter was the Managing Partner of Andart Global, U.S., the Vice President of Global Engagement for Planetary Resources, and the Vice President for Strategy at Orbital Sciences Corporation. Peter served for over a decade in the Pentagon in requirements, acquisition, operations, and policy roles for the Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense and also served as the Director of Special Programs for the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Peter is a graduate of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, a board member of the Japan Institute for Space & Security, and a member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame.

GP Sandhoo is the Vice President and Chief Architect at Quantum Space, focused on developing future space missions and architectures. He has over three decades of experience in space technology and national security, having held technical leadership roles at Northrop Grumman, IARPA, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, NASA, and JHU/APL.

He is also a seasoned military officer with 37+ years in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, where he primarily focused on operationalizing advanced space capabilities for national security, including during the RUS-UKR crisis. His education includes multiple advanced degrees in engineering, space systems, and national security. His career is characterized by his leadership in integrating emerging technologies into space missions.