May 7, 2025

Ever wondered who’s shaping the future of space exploration? Meet Mike Gold, a trailblazer whose passion for the cosmos has fueled a remarkable career in space policy and commercial ventures. From crafting international space agreements to leading cutting-edge projects at Redwire Corporation, Gold’s journey is a testament to innovation and collaboration. As of May 2025, he’s steering Redwire’s global expansion, building on a legacy that includes NASA leadership and inflatable habitats on the ISS. Let’s dive into the story of Mike Gold, a pioneer pushing humanity’s reach to the stars.

From Inflatable Habitats to ISS Stardom: Bigelow Beginnings

Mike Gold’s space odyssey kicked off at Bigelow Aerospace, where he spent 13 years as Director of D.C. Operations & Business Growth. Picture this: a young Gold, fascinated by sci-fi and space, diving into the wild idea of inflatable space habitats. His big break came with the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a game-changing inflatable habitat launched to the ISS in 2016 via SpaceX CRS-8. Gold led BEAM’s development, negotiating with NASA to secure its spot on the station and overseeing its deployment. This lightweight, expandable module proved that future space homes could be compact yet robust, earning Gold a NASA Group Achievement Award.

He also managed the launches of Genesis 1 and 2, prototype inflatable habitats tested in 2006 and 2007, laying the groundwork for BEAM. Beyond tech, Gold set up Bigelow’s Washington office, lobbying for commercial space policies and testifying before Congress to shape the industry’s future. His work at Bigelow wasn’t just about building modules—it was about dreaming big for space exploration.

Steering NASA’s Cosmic Vision: The Artemis Accords Era

In 2019, Gold joined NASA, rising to Associate Administrator for Space Policy and Partnerships. Here, his knack for diplomacy shone as he spearheaded the Artemis Accords, a groundbreaking framework for peaceful space exploration. By December 2024, 48 nations had signed on, uniting the world for NASA’s Artemis program to return humans to the Moon. Gold’s leadership didn’t stop there—he negotiated deals for the Lunar Gateway, a future lunar orbiting station, and pioneered NASA’s first lunar resource purchase, paving the way for space mining.

His NASA stint also included tackling quirky challenges, like serving on the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) study team, earning a Silver Group Achievement Award. Gold’s congressional testimonies, including one in 2020 on the Accords, highlighted his ability to balance U.S.-Russia ISS cooperation with global partnerships, even amid geopolitical tensions. His work earned him NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal, cementing his status as a space policy titan.

Redwire’s Rocket Man: Leading Global Space Innovation

In 2021, Gold traded NASA’s halls for Redwire Corporation, a space infrastructure powerhouse. Starting as Executive Vice President of Civil Space Business Development, he became Chief Growth Officer in 2022 and, by April 2025, President of Civil and International Space Business. Redwire, based in Jacksonville, Florida, builds everything from solar arrays to 3D bioprinting systems. Under Gold’s watch, the company’s pushing boundaries with projects like:

  • Bioprinter: A 3D printer that made history by printing a human meniscus on the ISS in 2023, winning a Popular Science award.
  • Regolith Manufacturing Technology: A method to turn lunar soil into building materials, recognized in 2021 for its lunar base potential.

Gold’s also driving Redwire’s global expansion, opening a Warsaw, Poland, office to tap European markets and leading the 2025 acquisition of Edge Autonomy for defense drones. With Redwire eyeing $1.4 billion in revenue by 2025, Gold’s vision is fueling a new era of space innovation.

Voice of Space: Congressional Testimonies and Beyond

Gold’s influence isn’t confined to boardrooms—he’s a sought-after voice in policy. He’s testified before Congress multiple times, from 2016 (on NASA’s future) to 2024 (on UAP research), advocating for commercial space and international collaboration. His 2024 testimony pushed for global UAP studies, showing his knack for tackling futuristic challenges. Gold’s also held roles like Chair of the NASA Advisory Council Regulatory and Policy Committee and Vice Chair of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, shaping the industry’s trajectory.

What’s Next for Mike Gold?

Mike Gold’s journey is far from over. At Redwire, he’s poised to redefine space infrastructure, from lunar construction to in-space manufacturing. His Artemis Accords legacy and BEAM expertise position him to lead Redwire into new markets, potentially shaping the next space station or lunar colony. As space becomes a global frontier, Gold’s blend of policy savvy and commercial drive makes him a key player to watch.

Join the Space Adventure!

Curious about Mike Gold’s next move or Redwire’s cutting-edge projects? Follow Gold’s work on X for real-time updates, explore Redwire’s innovations at redwirespace.com, or dive into NASA’s Artemis program at nasa.gov. Share your thoughts on space exploration below—how do you see pioneers like Gold shaping our cosmic future?

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