David McCord, DETS Program Research Assistant, Receives Award from the American Astronautical Society (AAS)

Cambridge, MA – The Defense, Emerging Technology, and Strategy Program (DETS) at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is pleased to announce that David McCord, MPA Candidate and DETS Research Assistant, has been awarded the Business and Space Policy Molly K. Macauley Award by the American Astronautical Society (AAS). McCord accepted the prestigious award at the annual AAS Space Exploration Symposium in “Rocket City”, Huntsville, Alabama on October 27th, 2023. This national recognition seeks to support and acknowledge future space industry leaders by awarding grants to a set of outstanding college and university students. David’s abstract submission won the first prize grant and the opportunity to present his research at the Symposium on “Europe’s Galileo: New Avenues for Diplomatic and Commercial Cooperation”.

In his presentation, he highlighted the Belfer Center’s shared 50th Anniversary with the Global Positioning System (GPS), and the impact of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) on the world. McCord noted that Europe’s Galileo and America’s GPS systems have different yet complementary capabilities and governance models. He exhorted both sides to strengthen ties ahead of the renewal of the cooperation agreement between both systems in 2026. It was also a unique opportunity to meet fellow students and space enthusiasts, as well as learn from industry and government leaders, such as NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson. David concluded his stay with a visit to the US Space and Rocket Center, which retraces President Kennedy’s instrumental role in the odyssey of the American Space Program.  

As a Research Assistant for the Belfer Center’s DETS Program, McCord supports the program’s emerging technology and space portfolios. The Program explores how the international community can develop commercial capabilities, economic opportunities, and security frameworks that promote stability in space. His research focuses include space navigation, communications, and sustainability policy. He also is the Chair and Founder of Moonshot, a student organization focusing on space policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

Most recently, David worked on space policy as a contractor for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he notably represented the United States as a member of the American Delegation to the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna. There, he also supported the organization of sessions of the National Space Council User’s Advisory Group. Prior to this role, McCord worked as the Science and Technology Counselor at the Embassy of Switzerland in France, including responsibilities as Space Attaché covering both European and French space policy. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Management from HEC Paris, France, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.