Mark Harter

Mr. Mark Harter is a Space Systems Principal Engineer at The MITRE Corporation. For the last 18 years, Mr. Harter has led complex engineering projects leading to the successful development and implementation of several critical space and missile systems essential in establishing and maintaining U.S. space superiority. Mr. Harter is currently the Project Leader for MITRE’s work with Office of Space Commerce (OSC), leading Space Traffic Coordination (STC) mission transfer from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Commerce (DOC). Prior to this, Mr. Harter was the primary FFRDC advisor to the United States Space Force (USSF) Chief Scientist, leading test and integration activities for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and Space-Cyber Mission Assurance. As the Technical Director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Space Knowledge Center, Mr. Harter advised the MDA Director and staff for 12 years on technical space capabilities and risks associated with operational Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), and Command & Control, Battle Management, Communication (C2BMC) systems.

Prior to MITRE, Mr. Harter served as an officer in the United States Air Force for 22 years in a variety of technical and operational space and nuclear missile operations. His technical engineering experience includes extensive research, development, and testing of hypersonic propulsion and composite materials for the X-30 National Aerospace Plane (NASP); Chief Engineer for the Global Positioning System (GPS); and Division Director for highly classified vault-level Air Force space control programs at the Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center (AFOTEC). This is augmented by his operational experience as a Space Orbital Analyst; the first Space Warfare Officer in Pacific Command; Director of Operations for Minuteman III nuclear ICBMs (320th Missile Squadron); Presidential Nuclear Advisor for the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) on the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC E-4B).

Mr. Harter has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Business Degree from Webster University, and a Master of Arts in Military Operations, Air University (Air Command & Staff College).

Since joining MITRE, Mr. Harter has completed numerous technical papers/presentations with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), recognized as AIAA Engineer of the Year, and recipient of the Research Excellence Award from Air University. He is a Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) from the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and is an active amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, residing with his family in Colorado.