SPACE SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

Michael Overby

Deputy Director of Space Affairs
U.S. Department of State

As Deputy Director for Space Affairs, Mike Overby leads diplomatic efforts to advance U.S. leadership in space and promote civil and commercial exploration of outer space with international partners.  Mike’s team leads outreach to advanced and emerging spacefaring nations, opening foreign markets to U.S. space companies and facilitating cooperation between U.S. agencies like NASA and their foreign counterparts.  The Office of Space Affairs also shapes global best practices through the Artemis Accords, a set of principles signed by 61 countries to date to promote peaceful, safe, and transparent cooperation in space.  

 Prior to joining the Office of Space Affairs, Mike led a 40-person team of experts at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), shaping over $1 billion per year in U.S. security assistance and legal reform programs in 91 countries.  Mike also served Branch Chief for INL’s multilateral affairs team, coordinating over 300 U.S. delegations to negotiate international law and policy on cybercrime, corruption, and organized crime.  Mike also served as Special Assistant to the INL Assistant Secretary, managed U.S. foreign assistance programs in Afghanistan, and supported democracy programs at the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS).  

 Mike received a M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Furman University in Greenville, SC.  

Related Sessions

Brussels to the Beltway: How EU Space Law Is Shaping America’s Orbit

Thursday, April 16, 2026

10:30 am - 11:15 am

Track: