Audrey Schaffer

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Aerospace Security Project
Audrey Schaffer

Audrey M. Schaffer is a senior associate (non-resident) with the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She is an internationally recognized expert in space policy with experience across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors. She is currently the senior vice president of global policy and government strategy at Slingshot Aerospace, a space technology company transforming how data about the space domain is collected, fused, analyzed, and used in real-time decisionmaking.  She is also a member of the Secure World Foundation’s advisory committee.  Before joining the private sector, Schaffer served in the U.S. government for over 15 years, holding positions in the Executive Office of the President in the  Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State, and NASA. Her final position in government was as the director for space policy on the National Security Council staff. While in federal service, Schaffer led DOD efforts to establish in law the U.S. Space Force as a new branch of the armed forces; developed the U.S. policy to refrain from destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing; represented the United States in negotiating the first-ever United Nations guidelines for space sustainability; and drafted numerous national and departmental space policies and strategies, including guidance approved by the president. Ms. Schaffer holds a BS in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MA in international science and technology policy from the George Washington University. She began her career as a presidential management fellow and is a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service.

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Engaging China on Space with Eyes Wide Open

The next administration should find a way to engage China in a constructive, two-way dialogue on the responsible, peaceful, and safe use of space while investing in the means to protect U.S. interests and maintain the United States’ historic leadership in space.

Commentary by Audrey Schaffer and Kari A. Bingen — October 31, 2024