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Dan Hart
Space, Defense and Technology Leader. Member of The National Academy of Engineering
Dan Hart is a prominent figure in the aerospace industry, currently serving as the Director at Parabilis Space Technologies, Inc. His career spans several decades, marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to space technology.
Career Overview
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Boeing Tenure: Hart spent 34 years at Boeing, where he held various senior leadership positions, including leading the Government Satellites Division. His work included projects such as the X-37 Spaceplane and GPS satellites, providing him with extensive experience in satellite development and space operations.13
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Virgin Orbit: In 2017, Hart transitioned to become the CEO of Virgin Orbit, a company focused on launching small satellites into space. Under his leadership, the company achieved several successful missions before facing challenges that led to its bankruptcy filing in April 2023.124 Hart emphasized innovation and risk management during his time there, navigating the complexities of a new launch system that involved air-launching rockets from modified aircraft.1
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Current Role: Now at Parabilis Space Technologies, Hart continues to influence the aerospace sector, leveraging his extensive background to guide the company in its mission to enhance access to space technologies.3
Education and Affiliations
Hart is also known for his involvement with various organizations and initiatives aimed at advancing technology and space exploration. He is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, where he advises on emerging technologies and their implications for global security.3
Key Insights
Throughout his career, Hart has shared valuable insights into the space industry, emphasizing the importance of innovation and adaptability in overcoming challenges. His experiences highlight the critical nature of risk management and strategic investment in advancing space exploration efforts.1
Highlights
War in space is only inevitable if we choose it to be so. As President Johnson wrote in his letter to the US Senate in 1967: "We know the gains of cooperation. We know the losses of the failure to cooperate. If we fail now to apply the lessons we have learned, or even if we delay their application, we know that the advances into space may only mean adding a new dimension to warfare. If, however, we proceed along the orderly course of full cooperation we shall, by the very fact of cooperation, make the most substantial contribution toward perfecting peace.”
Announcing the Virgin Orbit IP Library, now being made available for licensing.
The flight proven LauncherOne IP can accelerate launch and hypersonic system development schedules by years, and enable significant cost savings. The innovative designs can also offer component/subsystem providers immediate product line expansion. The Virgin Orbit LauncherOne system was the first and only orbit-capable liquid fueled air-launch system ever created. The system flew five operational space launch missions with four successes, delivering over 30 satellites to orbit. All of the system & mission designs, analyses, development simulations & models, build instructions, launch procedures, test data, and mission data are contained in the IP. In addition to the system design, the IP contains the designs, build instructions, qualification and acceptance test procedures, procurement specs, and test data/test reports for all of the rocket subsystems and componentry. Some specific elements of the IP include:
Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFSS): An FAA approved flight termination system with the regulatory documentation.
Engines: the Newton 3 and Newton 4 engines (capable of 80 klbs and 5 klbs of thrust respectively)
Propulsion: full suite of propulsion components (valves, actuators, etc.) for use with LOX, kerosene, nitrogen, and helium
Avionics: designs, build instructions, qualification and acceptance test procedures and data for full suite of space launch qualified avionics (Flight Computer, Distributed I/O Modules, scalable Ordnance Control and Breakwire Monitoring Modules, and RF Telemetry and GPS Systems)
Guidance, Navigation, Control and Flight software: Flight-proven Guidance, Navigation & Control designs and validated simulations. Qualified, flight proven flight software for vehicle flight sequencing and control.
Structures: all structural components including LOX compatible, linerless tanks with baffling, fairing and other unpressurized structures, high temperature TPS Si Carbide material processes for engine nozzles, hypersonic flight, and re-entry
Launch Processing: Launch software including Launch software applications, automated procedure control, distributed graphical user interfaces, and auto-sequencing.
Flight data: Four end to end missions from pre-flight and captive-carry operations to powered rocket flight and on-orbit operations/payload delivery.
Price for access to all IP is $3M for a nonexclusive license. Licensing of portions of the IP will also be considered with pricing dependent upon subsystems requested. Please note that the LauncherOne intellectual property is controlled for export under U.S. export control regulations and any release to non-U.S. persons would first require export licensing from the U.S. Government. Interested parties can contact [email protected]
