Thunderbird at ASU welcomes new director of Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business

Thunderbird School of Global Management (Thunderbird) at Arizona State University (ASU) welcomes David Thomas, esteemed executive, scientist, and science diplomat with over two decades of experience, to lead the institution’s transformative space education initiatives.

As the director of the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business and professor of practice, Thomas spearheads space programming, including the Executive Master of Global Management: Space Leadership, Business, and Policy (EMGM-Space) and the Executive Certificate in Space Leadership, Business, and Policy.

However, his work at ASU does not begin with Thunderbird. Thomas has been instrumental in ASU’s effort to create the first university-led, non-governmental space agency, called the Milo Space Science Institute within the School of Earth and Space Exploration.

In addition to his academic leadership, Thomas has pioneered the Space Diplomacy initiative at ASU, aiming to ensure the U.S. and its allies are partners of choice for nations and organizations with both mature space flight heritage and those with emerging space agencies.

With a career spanning applied science, defense, and international collaboration, David has led high-tech teams and large-scale programs that address some of the most difficult challenges in the space industry.

In the following Q&A, he shares insights on the future of space entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the role of education in developing the next generation of space leaders.

Q: What makes Thunderbird positioned to prepare the next generation of leaders in space leadership, commerce, and diplomacy?

A: There is a compelling need to cultivate leaders who embody the Thunderbird ethos—visionaries who will navigate the unknown with integrity and ensure that the future of space exploration serves all of humanity. Thunderbird was built on the very principles that are needed in this time in history. Thunderbird’s Oath of Honor is the embodiment of a principled framework that directs us to act responsibly and with accountability. Similarly, the ASU Charter compels us to take responsibility for the communities we serve. Together, Thunderbird and ASU offer the foundation to cultivate global leaders who will influence their region.

Q: What are some of the critical challenges facing space leadership and business today, and how can education and research help address them?

A: We are witnessing an extraordinary era in human history, defined by unprecedented access to space. The rise of space commerce has transformed the landscape, and the rapid pace of corporate innovation has created new opportunities for public-private partnerships and business models. However, this new frontier is not without its challenges. It is shaped by complex geopolitical dynamics that underscore the urgent need for principled leaders who are adept in international diplomacy.

Q: What are some innovative trends in space entrepreneurship that you’re particularly excited about?

A: NASA and other government space agencies are investing in programs designed to encourage commercial services to enable their space science and exploration objectives. One example is the ride-share model to the surface of the Moon. Using this model, organizations no longer need to procure all the infrastructure for a mission. They can simply purchase a ride and pay for the infrastructure they need as a service. There are also plans to develop similar commercial infrastructure for Mars. The Milo Institute at ASU is pioneering university-led consortia-based missions, where multiple participants share costs and risks. These models are opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs and research organizations.

Q: How can businesses balance the pursuit of profits with ethical considerations and sustainability in space exploration?

David: The Thunderbird Space Initiative has adopted principled frameworks which provide structured approaches for businesses to align profitability with ethical responsibility and sustainability in space exploration. We emphasize transparency, societal benefit, and environmental stewardship while addressing the complexities of commercial activities. One of the important topics we cover is planetary stewardship — intentionally determining how innovation will help solve challenges on Earth.

The U.S. Department of State and NASA have also provided a unifying and principled framework in the Artemis Accords, signed by 53 nations as of January 2025. The Accords establish comprehensive principles for international cooperation in space exploration.

Q: What advice do you have for students at Thunderbird or aspiring leaders who want to make an impact in the space sector?

David: A new space economy has emerged that is propelling innovation and commerce. Thunderbird’s Space Initiative has identified 90 countries with aspirations to participate in this growing sector. However, only a few of these countries have the resident expertise and infrastructure to engage in space exploration and commerce. Emerging space faring countries need assistance to build the capacity to participate in space.

Q: How can Thunderbird inspire young professionals to see space not just as a frontier of exploration but as a platform for solving global challenges?

A: The challenges we face on the Moon and Mars have similarities to those we face on Earth. They include meeting basic needs for food, water, energy, and shelter. We must perfect remote medical diagnostics and understand how to improve human health in isolated environments. Thunderbird can inspire young professionals to see space as a platform to address the challenges of our time. Space brings people together to solve challenges that are bigger than any one person, and in turn, builds capacity to solve hard problems on Earth.

Q: If you could visit any celestial body in our solar system, which one would it be and why

A: Mars is fascinating to me. It is roughly half the size of Earth, yet it is home to two of the most dramatic features in the solar system — Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the solar system, and Valles Marineris, a massive canyon with a length that is roughly the same as the distance across the U.S.

Q: Do you have a favorite space mission or project that has inspired you personally or professionally?

A: I have always been inspired by the Pillars of Creation, a very large cloud of interstellar gas and dust discovered in 1995 by a team led by ASU astronomers Jeff Hester and Paul Scowen using the Hubble Space Telescope. This tells us about star formation, a process that continues to this day. It is the mystery we see in the universe that inspires us to explore.

For more information on the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy, and Business, visit Thunderbird’s website.