James Frelk

Intuitive Machines • Senior Vice President for Data Services

Mr. James J. Frelk is an experienced leader in government and industry, shaping commercial and government programs on national security, commercial satellite earth imaging, ISR, cybersecurity, autonomy/artificial intelligence, and other fields. Mr. Frelk currently serves as Senior Vice President for Data Services at Intuitive Machines.

Mr. Frelk previously served as NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for PA&E, Director of the Office of Space Commerce (US Department of Commerce), and assisted in founding both Lockheed’s Space Imaging and Maxar’s Earthwatch/Digital Globe. He is Vice Chair of the National Security Space Association Moorman Center for Space Studies where he provides strategic guidance and thought leadership for national security space initiatives and advises on space policy, defense, and emerging technologies. He has served in executive positions for more than 20 years, including positions that managed strategic partnerships with the National Reconnaissance Office, the Department of Defense, and other non-government agencies. In his most recent role, Mr. Frelk led strategic initiatives for autonomous robotic solutions and spearheaded Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing solutions for GPS-denied environments and Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategies for the Department of Defense.

Mr. Frelk received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Northeastern Illinois, having majors in three disciplines -- Business Administration, Political Science, and History. Mr. Frelk has also completed ongoing educational training at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School/Government Executive Program (Driving Government Performance), and the Office of Personnel Management Federal Executive Institute (Collaborating Across Organizational Boundaries & Building a Great Place to Work). He is a co-editor and author of Defending Against Ballistic Missile Attack and Contested Space.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2026

5 - 9 October 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Participation: