Bhavya LAL

RAND School of Public Policy • Professor

Dr. Bhavya Lal is currently a Professor at RAND School of Public Policy. She most recently served as NASA's Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy, advising the NASA Administrator and senior leadership on a broad spectrum of domestic and international policy issues, strategic planning, and technology investments. During her tenure at NASA, she also broke new ground as the first woman to act as NASA's Chief Technologist. In the early days of the Biden Administration, she was the highest-ranking Administration appointee at NASA, serving as the acting Chief of Staff. In all these roles, Dr. Lal was instrumental in advancing the NASA Moon-to-Mars program, and spearheading initiatives in planetary defense, space sustainability, space ethics, and space nuclear systems. She also played a pivotal role in formulating critical policies on international competition and commercial space ventures.

Before joining NASA, Dr. Lal directed influential analyses at the Institute for Defense Analyses' (IDA) Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), leading high-impact studies on space commercialization, government investment strategies, and economic policy frameworks for emerging space sectors. Her research has directly influenced U.S. space industrial policy, orbital debris mitigation strategies, and market-driven approaches to national security space programs.

Dr. Lal has frequently testified before Congress and the National Space Council on economic and policy issues related to space commerce. She has authored peer-reviewed papers and reports on topics including space nuclear power investment models, asteroid resource economics, and private-sector participation in space infrastructure development. She continues to shape the future of space economics through formal advisory roles at NASA, the National Academies, and international space policy organizations. She currently chairs the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Economy Committee.

Dr. Lal's extensive research and leadership have earned her numerous accolades including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Associate Fellowship at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the AIAA Public Service Award for “lasting and sustained leadership in national space policy and setting the course for NASA’s future missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond,” and induction into the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers.

Her academic credentials include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a second master’s from MIT’s Technology and Policy Program, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration from George Washington University. She is a member of the honor societies for both nuclear engineering and public policy and public administration.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2023

2-6 October 2023

Baku, Azerbaijan

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2022

18-22 September 2022

Paris, France

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2021

25-29 October 2021

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2019

21-25 October 2019

Washington, United States

Participation:

Participation