Seminar Series on the Use of Force and Diplomacy

Gary Payton

"Space As a Congested and Contested Area"

Friday, October 22, 2010
Noon
Mershon Center for International Security Studies
1501 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43201

To see a streaming video of this event, click here

Gary E. Payton served as Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs in Washington, D.C., until his retirement In July. He provided guidance, direction and oversight for the formulation, review and execution of military space programs. This included oversight of all space and space-related acquisition plans, strategies and assessments for research, development, test, evaluation and space-related industrial base issues. 

In this talk, Payton will provide background for the recent Space Posture Review, a legislatively-mandated review of U.S. national security space policy and objectives, conducted jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence. The Space Posture Review analyzes the relationship between military and national security space strategy and assesses space acquisition programs, future space systems, and technology development.

Payton earned his B.S. in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and his Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University. As an Air Force officer, he served as a pilot, instructor pilot, spacecraft operations director and space technology manager. In 1985, he flew as a payload specialist on board the Space Shuttle Discovery in the first military flight of the space shuttle program.

Payton retired from the Air Force in the rank of colonel after more than 23 years of service, with his last duty in the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. While there, he was responsible for directing the development of sensor and interceptor technologies for detecting, tracking, discriminating targets, and intercepting ballistic missiles in all phases of flight. He was instrumental in the initiation and management of the Midcourse Sensor Experiment, the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile, Delta-183, Talon Shield, Clementine and the DC-X launch vehicle technology project.

Payton has also served as NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Transportation Technology where he initiated, planned and led the Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstration program, which included the X-33, X-34, X-37 and DC-XA flight test projects. His responsibilities included program formulation, budget preparation and program advocacy with Congress, the White House, the Department of Defense and the media.

For two years he was the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations for ORBIMAGE, a leading global provider of Earth imagery products and services. Prior to his current position, Payton served as the Deputy for Advanced Systems in the Missile Defense Agency. There he led the MDA technology program to enhance ballistic missile defense sensor, weapon and battle management capabilities.

Gary Payton
Deputy Under Secretary for Space Programs (Ret.)
U.S. Air Force