Dr. Wanda M. Austin is president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the objective application of science and technology toward the solution of critical issues affecting the nation's space program. She assumed this position on January 1, 2008. The Aerospace Corporation has nearly 4,000 employees and annual revenues of more than $800 million.

Austin previously was senior vice president of the company's National Systems Group, which supports the national security space and intelligence community in the acquisition, launch and orbital operation of advanced technology space systems and their ground data stations. She was senior vice president of Special Studies from January 1 to April 1, 2004, and from June 2001 through December 2003 was senior vice president of the Engineering and Technology Group, directing a staff of 1,000 engineers and scientists working in a wide range of space-related disciplines.

Before being named senior vice president, Austin was general manager of the Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Division, where she was responsible for systems engineering support to the Air Force in the architecture, acquisition, development, and orbital operation of advanced satellite communications systems and programs. She was general manager of the Electronic Systems Division before her assignment to the MILSATCOM organization. Before joining Aerospace, Austin was a member of the technical staff at Rockwell International. She is internationally recognized for her work in satellite and payload system acquisition, systems engineering and system simulation.

Austin earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College, master's degrees in systems engineering and mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Southern California. She is a member of the NASA Advisory Council and is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She also is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

Austin has received numerous awards and citations. Among them are the Air Force Scroll of Achievement, the National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal, the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's Martin Luther King Spirit of the Dream Award, and the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award. She was inducted into the WITI (Women in Technology International) Hall of Fame in September 2007.