Ronald J. Birk is the principal director of the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, he focuses on the future, leading and collaborating on activities to advance U.S. space capabilities for the space enterprise.

Previously, Birk was the associate principal director of development with the Civil Systems Group at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, he focused on the development of emerging drivers associated with national priorities, on strategic planning, and establishing strategic relationships with partners, customers, and collaborators.

Birk has 42 years of experience in program management, business development, and strategic planning associated with the development of aerospace systems. His experience includes developing programs, systems, and sensors to advance U.S. space capabilities and related complex systems in the national interest, including national and international plans for Earth observation systems of systems to improve decision support.

Prior to joining Aerospace, Birk was the director of Civil and Military Space Systems at Northrop Grumman, and director of Applied Sciences at NASA.

EDUCATION
Birk earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Notre Dame.

AFFILIATIONS
Birk serves as president for the board of the American Astronautical Society, co-chair of the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) Technical Working Group, and chair of the WashingtonExec Space Council.