George Whitesides

Chief Executive, Virgin Galactic and Spaceship Co.

George Thomas Whitesides is responsible for guiding all aspects of building what is planned to be the world’s first commercial space line, including Virgin Galactic’s spaceflight program and its launch capability for small satellites. This also includes oversight of Spaceship Co., its sister company. Prior to Virgin Galactic, Whitesides served as chief of staff for NASA. Upon departure from NASA, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award the agency confers. Whitesides is on Caltech’s Space Innovation Council, is a fellow of the U.K. Royal Aeronautical Society, and has served on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Space Security.