SPACE SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

Dr. David Bearden

Manager, Office of Strategic Planning
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

David A. Bearden is Program Manager for Partnerships & Strategy in the Capabilities & Products Division at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).  In this role, Bearden leads partnerships, including industry, international and other organizations, to facilitate the development of advanced concepts into new missions, instruments, technologies and other pursuits of national interest.  Prior to this, Bearden was responsible for developing the Laboratory Strategic Implementation Plan and managing the lab’s Innovation Foundry.  Bearden also serves on standing review and other review boards for NASA and the National Academies. His expertise lies in project management and space systems architectural assessment including conceptual design, simulation and programmatic analysis of space systems. Bearden has considerable expertise in balancing benefit, cost, and risk across a broad array of space systems application areas including science, human spaceflight, remote sensing, telecommunications, missile defense, launch and operations. Prior to joining JPL, Bearden was general manager of the NASA and Civil Space Division at The Aerospace Corporation, where he was responsible for business development, management and technical leadership of support to NASA, NOAA and other civil space agencies. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the International Space University (ISU) and co-founded Paragon Space Development Corporation. Bearden holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Utah.

Related Sessions

Salon Luncheon: Exploration Laboratories LLC

Thursday, April 16, 2026

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Track: