The Space Data Association has appointed Eutelsat’s David Zamora as its new Chairman. David is a seasoned space industry professional with over 20 years of experience in Flight Dynamics and Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
David has held the position of Head of Flight Dynamics at Eutelsat since 2010 where he leads GEO Flight Dynamics engineering and operational activities, actively promotes SSA practices, and drives their integration to ensure safe and sustainable space operations. David has been an Executive Director at SDA for over 8 years and has played a key role in developing the Space Safety Portal (SSP), SDA’s new safety-of-flight system, which became operational this month.
The Space Data Association (SDA) is an international organization that brings together satellite operators to support the controlled, reliable, and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment. Formed in 2009, the SDA aims to enhance safety of flight via sharing of operational data and promotion of best practices across the industry.
David succeeds Joe Chan as Chairman who assumed the position in October 2022. Joe has overseen a pivotal stage in the development of SDA with the issue of an RFP for the delivery of the next generation safety of flight system delivered and operated by multinational technology company, GMV.
Joe will retire from his role at SDA and from his post as Director of Flight Dynamics at SES, previously Intelsat where he has held the role for 27 years and has overseen the operation of Intelsat’s geostationary satellites. Prior to joining Intelsat, he worked at Goddard Space Flight Centre on the TOPEX/POSEIDON and Mars Observer projects.
David Zamora said: “I am thrilled to accept the position of Chairman at SDA. It’s a real honour to take the reins from Joe who has done such an incredible job over the last 3 years, and I’d like to personally thank him for all his time and dedication. The landscape of our orbits is changing, and the SDA has to be agile and respond to these changes. With the Space Safety Portal, our association has the tools to do this, and to respond to the evolving space environment to ensure that safety of spaceflight for our members and the sustainability of space in the long term.”
Joe Chan added: “It has been a huge privilege to serve as Chairman of SDA and to have ushered in a new era for the association with the Space Safety Portal. I look forward to seeing the difference that it makes for our members. We see a future where SDA can act as a central point for the reception, processing and dissemination of critical information that will be essential to the future of SSA and we have the technology to push that vision forward.”
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