​Elias T. Naffah

Elias T. Naffah is the Director, for Space Systems Strategic Development at Viasat Government, Space and Mission Systems. He is responsible for Viasat’s strategy to develop commercial On-Orbit Communications Solutions for Spacecraft in LEO.

Prior to joining Viasat, Mr. Naffah enjoyed a long and distinguished career with NASA. He established the Space Communications and Spectrum Management Office, at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland Ohio. He provided leadership to NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program in the areas of Spectrum Management, Architecture, Standards and Technology Development. He formulated and led the Communications Services Project (CSP), a major element of NASA’s plan to transition to commercially provided communications and navigation services for near-Earth space and terrestrial users. Mr. Naffah also led Lunar and Human Research Projects for the Human Exploration and Space Operations Office.

Earlier in his career, he served as lead counsel at the NASA Glenn Office of Chief Counsel. He led the Orion Project Office at GRC and went on to serve as Deputy Chief Engineer for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. He later returned to GRC to serve as the Deputy Chief for the Avionics and Electrical Systems Division. Other notable contributions included the Space Shuttle and Spacelab Programs at Kennedy Space Center and Space Station Power System at GRC.

A native of Northeast Ohio, Mr. Naffah earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.