About Kaplan Astronautics, LLC

Space Consulting

Michael Kaplan, Principal Consultant

Michael Kaplan is the Principal Consultant at Kaplan Astronautics, LLC located in Boulder, CO. He has over 35 years leadership experience across aerospace, satellite, and systems domains working with the US Department of Defense, NASA, Boeing, Space Systems Loral and Ball Aerospace. His specialties span business development, strategic planning, marketing, product development, program management and systems engineering. 

Michael has also worked with Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance, ESA, DLR, CNES, Orbital, Thales Alenia, Israel Space Agency, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, numerous universities and research laboratories, and many other leading aerospace and high technology organizations.

While at NASA Headquarters, Michael created and led the development of several transformational programs including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. He also created the partnership between NASA and the DLR that enabled the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the world’s largest and most sophisticated airborne observatory. He led the project to a new start in a very demanding budget climate.

At Boeing and Space Systems Loral, Michael led product and business development in space robotic and science missions where he was responsible for all aspects of the development of new space business (marketing, strategy, sales, teaming, acquisitions, R&D investment planning, IRAD project management, proposal team leadership and technical management.) 
 
Michael’s formal education started with a BSE from Princeton University in Aerospace & Mechanical Sciences & Engineering Physics. It continued with 2 Masters degrees from George Washington University, one in R&D Management and one in Electrical Engineering, with specialties in communications, antennas and controls. He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has a patent involving advanced antenna technology and has authored numerous technical publications.

Dr. David B. Smith, Senior Consultant

Dr. David B. Smith has over 35 years of experience in designing space missions for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Boeing, Spectrum Astro, and SpaceDev. Selected career highlights include:

Designed navigation and spacecraft at JPL: Galileo, Voyager, Viking, Magellan, Mariner Venus
Mars Exploration Chief Engineer at JPL
Technical Manager of Telerobotic Program at JPL
Developed architectures for the JPL Mars Exploration Program.
Led and performed system cost trades at JPL and Boeing
Directed Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) LIDAR technology team at JPL
Led Lunar Lander design activities and R&D into Precision Landing & Hazard Avoidance technology at Boeing
Led Mission Design for Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) at Boeing
Created and developed JPL’s Team X concept
Managed Advanced Concepts office at JPL
Process owner for independent costing process at JPL
Managed Section 702, Engineering and Architecture Office at JPL
Systems Manager of SIR-C radar missions, STS-59, and STS-68 at JPL
Principle Engineer for the Mars Program Architect and Systems Engineering Office
Manager of the New Product Development Office at JPL

Dr. Smith received his BS in Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University, MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California, and Ph.D. in Astrodynamics from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Karen Miller, Office Manager

Karen has more than 20 yrs. of experience as an office manager and executive personal assistant roles. At Kaplan Astronautics, Karen is responsible for
- Managing the flow of information, including phone calls and email
- Preparing and receiving shipments, including managing office supplies
- Scheduling meetings
- Planning travel and arranging customer visits
- Preparing invoices and managing corporate credit card account

Karen received her BA in Language Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz.