U.S. Department of Defense’s director of space policy
Travis Langster earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1994. He began his career at General Electric Aerospace, where he served as an engineer focused on the launch and on-orbit operations of U.S. Air Force satellite systems. Langster then transitioned to Ansys Government Initiatives (AGI), where he ascended to vice president for DOD and Intel Space. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in leading strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships in the defense and intelligence sectors, contributing to advancement of space technology and national security efforts. Langster later served as vice president and general manager of AGI's COMSPOC, a renowned firm specializing in responsible space behavior and best practices in national security. In 2022, Langster joined the U.S. Department of Defense as director of space policy, overseeing critical areas, including space, nuclear weapons, cyber, missile defense, electromagnetic warfare, and countering weapons of mass destruction. Purdue honored Langster with an Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award in 2021.