Nancy C. Wolfson
Nancy C. Wolfson is a pivotal figure in the space industry, renowned for her leadership in planetary defense, risk management, and space education. Her interdisciplinary research bridges technology, social dynamics, and psychological impacts, aiming to foster robust and collaborative space societies. As President of Disrupting Space, she spearheads initiatives in analog and risk management research, cultivating international partnerships to advance space exploration. She also chairs the IAF Space Investment Committee and the Taksha Center for Planetary Defense, while serving as an advisor to the Taksha Center for the Women’s STEM Network.
Nancy’s leadership contributions to the space community are both significant and transformative. A notable milestone was her invitation to The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Nation of Makers Meeting in 2016, in recognition of her contributions to technology, innovation, and education beyond the space sector. From 2019 to 2021, Nancy served as Vice-Chair of the International Astronautical Federation’s (IAF) Planetary Defense and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) Technical Committee, where she shaped global strategies for asteroid detection and mitigation.
In 2021, Nancy was elected to and held the position of Vice Chair of the IAF Enterprise Risk Management Committee, where she played a key role in advancing the committee’s mission to enhance risk management practices in the space industry, focusing on both mitigating threats and assisting decision makers. An area of particular interest for the committee was the implications and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since October 2021, Nancy has served as Chair of the IAF Space Investment Committee, where she directs the committee’s activities and spearheads educational and global research projects. Founded in 2007, the committee fosters dialogue among entrepreneurs, corporations, government, and academia, promoting economic innovation, public-private partnerships, and the diversification of space economy funding, while drawing private investment to the industry.
By 2012, it earned recognition as a global hub for these discussions, with a goal to inspire technology-driven economic growth worldwide by 2027. In 2022, Nancy established three key working groups: Space Sustainability, Space PPP International Partnership, and Space Investments – New Business Models.
Nancy is also responsible for the creation of the first IAF Planetary Defense and Near-Earth Object Symposium (E10), which uniquely integrated and examined NEO and space debris topics. Backed by numerous IAF committee members, the IAF bureau, and the wider planetary defense community, this symposium has emerged as a vital platform for fostering global cooperation in asteroid monitoring and defense strategies.
As Chair of the Taksha Center for Planetary Defense (TCPD), a division of the Taksha Institute, Nancy leads initiatives focused on planetary defense and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). The TCPD serves as a multidisciplinary platform for space professionals to collaborate on asteroid detection, tracking, and mitigation, while also advancing education and policy in the field.
As part of her role with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Nancy has provided her expertise as a session chair for the SciTech 2023 and ASCEND 2020 conferences. She has also conducted polls and special sessions, presenting the findings to the UN-COPUOS and the Planetary Defense community.
Nancy’s peer-reviewed research is at the forefront of space exploration. Her 2016 paper, presented at the IAC, Enabling Interstellar Travel: The Need for a Diverse Mix of Advanced Energy Concepts, explores innovative energy solutions for long-duration space travel. The key finding is that long-duration space travel requires a diverse range of advanced energy concepts, with multidisciplinary collaboration essential to develop sustainable energy systems for interstellar missions. This study advocates for integrating various scientific disciplines to address the energy demands of extended space journeys, ensuring mission feasibility and sustainability.
Another intriguing paper of hers, The Case For Entrepreneurship as the Business Model in the Outer Space Settlements of the Future, proposes entrepreneurial frameworks to sustain space colonies economically. The research suggests that entrepreneurship can serve as a viable business model, driving economic viability and innovation in future space settlements. This approach highlights the potential for private sector involvement in space colonization, fostering economic models that support long-term habitation.
Her research also finds unique applications for the knowledge gained from space science. Specifically, her study Enhancing Productivity and Creativity: Applying Space Science to Improve the Workplace Environment on Earth and Preparing our Workforce for Life in Outer Space demonstrates how space science technologies, such as advanced ergonomics and sensory science, can elevate workplace designs and management approaches, boosting productivity and sparking creativity among employees.
Drawing from successful corporate examples, it suggests that these alternative strategies can be amplified with space-inspired innovations. Moreover, the research highlights how these advancements can address workplace stress and health issues, fostering safer and more inspiring environments while equipping workforces for future space colonies by making space science more accessible to businesses today.
Nancy presented An Educational Approach to Planetary Defense for Global Involvement During COVID-19 at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs' 28th Workshop on Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits. Her presentation proposed fostering collaboration through adopting an education focused approach to planetary defense. Her interactive polls highlighted the psychological effects experienced during asteroid impact warnings and assessed public perceptions of the events.
A passionate advocate for diversity, Nancy has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity within the space industry. At the 2019 IAC, she organized and facilitated sessions such as Lessons from Business Women in the Space Industry — Positive Tales from a Journey Through a Male Dominated Industry highlighting the contributions of women and fostering a more inclusive sector. Her work with the Taksha Center for the Women’s STEM Network further supports underrepresented groups, encouraging their participation in space-related fields. Through these efforts, she has increased the visibility and impact of diverse voices, paving the way for a more equitable industry.
Nancy’s impact extends to policy and is truly global in terms of scope. Nancy has attended and contributed to meetings of the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) aiding in promoting global asteroid monitoring and inter-national and inter-agency collaboration. In this vein, her leadership and active participation in events like the 2023 ILLA Space Agencies Meeting in Brazil, emphasize her role in promoting planetary defense through multinational collaboration.
Nancy has also helped coordinate and lead public engagement programs for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), such as the Find an Asteroid Campaign. Outcomes from the 3-month campaign include Nancy being included as the co-discoverer of 3 preliminary asteroids. She volunteered as a judge for the Nicknaming an Asteroid Unistellar-SETI Campaign 2020, contributing to reviewing entries and presenting recommendations to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). As a signatory to the 100x Declaration for Asteroid Day, she joins prominent leaders and over 125 astronauts in raising awareness about asteroids.
Nancy’s tireless leadership, research, and advocacy are shaping the future of space exploration and defense. Her efforts in risk management, planetary defense, and space investment are making space safer and more economically sustainable. She inspires the next generation of space professionals to embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial innovation. Above all, Nancy’s commitment to diversity and education ensures the space industry remains technologically advanced, inclusive, and accessible to all.
Watch The “Asteroid Day” Presentation with NASA’s Jeff Woytach and Researcher Nancy C. Wolfson, Asteroid Day 2022: Planetary Defense Beyond Earth Track at the National Space Society, and Lessons from Business Women in the Space Industry – Positive Tales from a Journey Through a Male Dominated Industry.
Read The Case For Entrepreneurship as the Business Model in the Outer Space Settlements of the Future, Enabling Interstellar Travel: The Need for a Diverse Mix of Advanced Energy Concepts, and Enhancing Productivity and Creativity: Applying Space Science to Improve the Workplace Environment on Earth and Preparing our Workforce for Life in Outer Space.
Explore Nancy’s work further by connecting with her on LinkedIn, X, or by browsing her personal website! Keep up with her presentations and research by delving into the IAF Digital Library.