Key People

Dr. Jason Held is the CEO and founder of Saber Astronautics.

With over 25 years of experience in space, Dr. Held has worked in both civil and military programs. Before founding Saber Astronautics, he served with U.S. Army Space Command and deployed internationally during wartime. 

He also served as an engineer at the Army Space and Missile Command Battle Lab. As a civilian, he wrote flight software for the Hubble Space Telescope and conducted testing for the International Space Station. 

Dr. Held has also lectured for the IRS Space Station Design Workshop, the University of New South Wales, and the International Space University. He led a research expedition in the high Canadian Arctic and founded the Wolfpack Space Hub, Delta-V Startup Accelerator, and the University of Sydney’s Space Engineering Laboratory.

In 2016, Dr. Held played a pivotal role in advocating for the establishment of an Australian space agency. He was part of the government-appointed Expert Reference Group that helped design the Australian Space Agency, which was founded in 2019. 

His efforts have significantly contributed to advancing Australia's presence in the global space industry. 

Dr. Held's passion for making space accessible to everyone is evident in his efforts to lower the barriers to entry into the space industry and foster bilateral trade between nations.

Darin is the Chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia, and Founder and Director of Max Q Strategy, where he translates his diverse background across defence, space, and advanced technology into strategic insight for government, industry, and research.

Darin is an experienced director who has over 30 years of experience in defence, space, international and political studies, and large-scale transformation projects both in Australia and the United States.

As the former Executive Director of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Darin was responsible for a $200m program to build Australia’s enduring space capability through commercialisation of projects, a fast-track accelerator, and programs to build the workforce of the future. Darin most recently was the Director of Space for the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) which saw him formulate and execute the State’s space strategy to build an enduring space industry for South Australia. 

Prior to that, he managed the virtual warfare lab for Phantom-Works (International), the self-disruptive arm of Boeing. He is a military veteran of more than 25-years, working on operations including Iraq and East Timor, strategy, and capability development for the Air and Space domains.

His extensive space experience also includes: Chief of Australia’s Space Operations Centre (AUSSpOC), Chief of Strategy to the US Executive Agent for Space / Secretary of the Air Force within the Pentagon, and staff officer in Australia’s joint Defence Space Coordinating Office.

Darin holds separate Masters’ degrees in: Philosophy, Arts, and Science; and a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace). He is a graduate of the US Air Force’s prestigious School of Advanced Air & Space Studies (SAASS), Canadian Forces Aerospace Systems Course (ASC), the International Space University (SSP10), Australian Command and Staff Course (ACSC), and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). 

Michael is the Founder and CEO of the AUKUS Guardians initiative. Michael Sharpe operates at the intersection of industry, government, and allied supply chains around the world. His work spans engineering, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, environmental sustainability, the space sector, academia, and the nuclear industry—focused on turning capability into coordinated industrial outcomes across borders.

He is extremely well connected with international manufacturing, industrial and political leaders, as well as the world's top universities, including activities in the nuclear and AUKUS spheres.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the AUKUS Forum, Michael leads an organisation that operates across industry, government, and academia in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has a personal contact base of over 100,000 people across Australian industry, including more than 48,000 members of the AUKUS Forum and 41,000 LinkedIn connections, with many more built over his time on projects for infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and research activities. His extensive range of industry networks has been assembled over the last three decades.  

Widely regarded as one of the most connected people in Australian industry, with a strong focus on business transactions, Michael is focused on transformation and leadership – helping countless businesses access new export opportunities and enter adjacent markets, such as traditional engineering firms stepping into the space and defence industries. 

This gives him an unrivaled ability to connect with key decision makers, facilitate contacts between Australian and overseas manufacturers, establish joint ventures, and create supply chains. His network is actively leveraged by global companies, including major U.S. corporations seeking trusted Australian industry partners.

Michael has vast experience in politics, industry, and manufacturing, having served as the National Director for Industry at the Australian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and as Chairman of the HunterNet Co-operative, a very successful industry cluster based in the Newcastle area of New South Wales.  

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders; a Fellow of The Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures & Commerce; and has completed courses in Leadership at the Harvard Business School.

Robert Long serves as Space Florida’s president and CEO, leading the state’s aerospace finance and development authority to advance the aerospace industry and solidify the state as the premier global and interplanetary capital for aerospace commerce. He is a proven leader with more than 25 years of experience overseeing large organizations across the aerospace spectrum from launch operations and mobility to logistics and spaceport operations. Long has spent his career improving and enhancing the transportation to, from, and in space, managing complex aerospace programs, leveraging innovative technologies to improve both government and private sector outcomes, and developing new business models and operating concepts to create value for the commercial aerospace industry.

Long has nearly two decades of experience crafting defense industrial, aerospace,  and fiscal policy and strategies, which included key roles advising the Defense Department’s Chief Technology Officer and senior Defense Department space leaders. He has a long track record of building partnerships across and within government & industry toward mutually beneficial outcomes.

Long most recently served as the Commander for Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base. In this role he managed $8.4 billion in assets, a $280 million annual budget, installations spanning more than 118,000 acres, and oversaw 11,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.

Long received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and has master’s degree from the College of Naval Command and Staff, the School for Advanced Air and Space Studies and the Eisenhower School. He retired as a colonel from the United States Space Force in July 2023

Ms. Erin M. Miller is the Executive Director of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC). Space ISAC serves as the primary focal point for the global space industry for “all threats and all hazards.” Stood up at the direction of the White House in 2019, Erin led the Space ISAC to open its operational Watch Center, alongside its Cyber Malware and Analysis Vulnerability Laboratory in Colorado Springs, CO, USA. Under Erin’s leadership, Space ISAC’s headquarters facility is already serving several countries to achieve its mission of security and resilience for the global space industry. Each year Space ISAC puts on the Value of Space Summit (VOSS), co-hosted with The Aerospace Corporation at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 

Erin has over a decade of experience building meaningful tech collaborations and has formed hundreds of formal partnerships between government, industry and academia to solve problems for warfighters and national security. 

As a serial entrepreneur in the non-profit space, she thrives in launching new programs and new organizations from stand up through building and scaling operations.

Erin was the Managing Director of the Center for Technology, Research and Commercialization (C-TRAC) and brought three USAF-funded programs to bear at the Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (www.catalystcampus.org). Her expertise in brokering unique partnerships using non-FAR type agreements led to the standup of the Air Force’s first cyber focused (#securebydesign) design studio, AFCyberWorx at the USAF Academy, and the first space accelerator, Catalyst Accelerator, at Catalyst Campus in Colorado Springs - in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX.

In 2020 Erin was a recipient of the Woman of Influence award. In 2018 Erin was recognized by the Mayor of Colorado Springs as Mayor’s Young Leader (MYL) of the Year Award for Technology. She is also the recipient of Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Award for Young Female Leader in 2018. 

In her previous roles she developed and managed intellectual property portfolios, technology transfer strategies, export control/ITAR, secure facilities, and rapid prototyping collaborations.

Erin serves on the advisory board of CyberSatGov, CyberLEO and is a board member for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC. She has guest lectured at Georgetown University, United States Air Force Academy, University of Colorado at Boulder, and Johns Hopkins University. She is frequently found public speaking at notable events like, Defense Security Institute’s Summits, CyberSatGov, State of the Space Industrial Base, and other forums focused on security and space resiliency and critical infrastructure. 

Anthony J. (Tony) Colucci is a strategic leader and team builder who has been responsible for more than $3 billion in transactions for communications satellites and space systems for U.S. and international governments and commercial companies. He has also played key leadership roles in three space startups which raised over $100 million aggregate investment. Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated commitment to ethical and responsible leadership and governance, with inclusive decision making, and the ability to engage a broad range of stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives. 

Mr. Colucci is focused on startups and team building, based on his foundation of business skills and technical background combined with a deep understanding of space, the aerospace industry, international business, and startup dynamics. He is a member of the board of directors of Solstar Space, and an advisor to Solstar, Space Kinetic, Flow Aluminum, Dash2 Labs, and other startups.

In 2020, Mr. Colucci co-founded SpaceLink, an innovative company that opened the market for commercial space data relay networks. As Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer he leveraged his broad professional network to build the core team and secure more than $50 million in funding. He drove strategy and managed business development, marketing & communications, and spectrum & regulatory affairs. 

Previously, at Space Systems Loral (now Maxar), and before that at Hughes Aircraft Company, he led successful market entry into Australia, China, Indonesia, and the Middle East. He was responsible for the world’s first satellite sale to a bank, and the first western satellite sale in China. He spent 20 years at Space Systems Loral in Palo Alto, Calif., where he was VP, Business Development & Strategy, and under his leadership the company became the dominant satellite manufacturer in the Australian and Indonesian markets. During that time, he was also Deputy Chairman of KACOMM, an Australian satellite broadband start-up.

Mr. Colucci brings a broad geopolitical and geo-economic perspective to business development and management activities. This strategic approach was demonstrated in his work to conceptualize and implement the satellite segment of Australia’s National Broadband Network. He maintains composure in difficult negotiations and keeps deals on track regardless of the challenges, which he has demonstrated throughout his career.

Mr. Colucci worked at Hughes for more than ten years, both at the Space and Communications Group, and at the Washington, DC office where he was active in lobbying the U.S. government. Earlier in his career he worked in engineering at Rockwell International’s Satellite Systems Division where he developed signal processing algorithms under a classified “Star Wars” contract.

Mr. Colucci earned his BS in Astrophysics from the University of New Mexico, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in New Mexico where he is a member of the New Mexico Angels, and the Expert Network for NewSpace Nexus. He has completed the Wharton Executive Education Corporate Governance program, the New Mexico Angels’ New Angel Investment Training. He is a graduate of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

Allen Antrobus is a strategic advisor and recognised expert in the space domain, with over 20 years of experience spanning UK defence, government, and commercial sectors. He has held senior roles at the UK Space Agency, the Ministry of Defence, Airbus Defence and Space, and currently serves as a Managing Consultant at PA Consulting.

Allen has shaped national space policy, led multi-sector innovation programmes, and advised senior stakeholders on space strategy, security, and operations. As Chair of UKSpace’s Security and Defence Committee and a member of the MOD’s Net Assessment Challenge Space Group, he plays a pivotal role in aligning industry perspectives with national defence priorities.

His career includes initiating UK participation in the Combined Space Operations initiative and the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking Programme, as well as delivering for a broad range of clients including the European Union, the Netherlands Government, the Royal Air Force, the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command.

Allen’s current work focuses on space-enabled capability development, alternative PNT technologies, and the integration of AI with space-derived data to address global challenges. He is a Visiting Fellow and active RAF Reservist, known for distilling complex geopolitical, technical, and commercial data into actionable insights.

Before joining the commercial sector, Allen worked for both the Royal Air Force and the UK Space Agency. His primary focus within the sector has been Space Domain Awareness and he was the UK’s inaugural Programme Director for the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking Initiative, as well as co-chairing the programme’s Steering Committee.

Allen was Officer Commanding Operations at RAF Fylingdales between Sep 07-May 09 whilst the site was being upgraded to support the Missile Defense mission and has held appointments within the MOD and HQ Air focusing on Space Strategy and Capability Development. He is also a Visiting Fellow at Plymouth University where he lectures on Space and the Maritime Domain.

Will Scully-Power is the General Partner at Pine Gap, a venture capital firm that invests in space technologies. It focuses on defence, intelligence and national security capabilities across the US, UK and Australia. 

Will is the son of Australia's first NASA astronaut (Dr. Paul Scully-Power), who flew aboard Space Shuttle Challenger STS 41-G. 

Will previously served as the Area Vice President at OSF Digital, an AI-first Salesforce partner with over 2,000 staff across more than 50 locations. OSF Digital is backed by USD$189 million in capital from Salesforce Ventures, Delta-v Capital, and Sunstone Partners. He joined OSF Digital in 2022 through the acquisition of Datarati, a marketing automation software (Martech) & CRM services business he co-founded in 2009. 

At Datarati, he secured the Asia-Pacific rights for Marketo, a Silicon Valley-based marketing automation software platform, and was responsible for its rapid revenue growth across the region. Marketo was acquired in 2018 by Adobe for USD$4.75 billion. 

Prior to Datarati, Scully-Power founded the data services business at M&C Saatchi in 2008. The company merged its direct, digital, and data marketing divisions to create a new business, Mark. He was responsible for recruiting the founding team, establishing the data, automation, CRM, optimisation and analytics services, and growing revenue across the enterprise client base. 

M&C Saatchi agreed to a USD$387 million acquisition offer by Next Fifteen Communications Group based in London; however, the acquisition was later halted due to shareholder opposition. M&C Saatchi remains an independent publicly listed company and trades on the London Stock Exchange’s alternative investment market in the United Kingdom under the ticker: SAA. 

In 2002, Scully-Power co-founded MarketingFX, a digital campaign automation business, which was acquired by Sqware Peg in 2006, Australia's first Salesforce partner backed by Salesforce Ventures. At Sqware Peg, he secured the Asia-Pacific rights for Eloqua, the world's first, cloud-based marketing automation software (Martech) platform, and was responsible for growing Eloqua’s enterprise software revenue across the region. Sqware Peg was acquired by Simplus in 2019, which was then acquired by Infosys in 2020 for USD$250 million. Eloqua was acquired in 2012 by Oracle for USD$871 million.