Amazon Hires First Head of Space Policy

This week, Amazon added a key member to mission control: the company’s first head of space policy, Peter Marquez.

Refresher: Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched its Aerospace and Satellite Solutions division in June. The business unit will focus on helping both government and private commercial customers build satellites, conduct launch operations, process data, and tap into satellite communications.

• Clients include NASA, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. military.

Who’s in orbit

Marquez held a similar role at the White House’s National Security Council, where he served under Presidents Bush and Obama. Before that, he worked in space policy at the Department of Defense. (Another resume highlight: space advisor for Space Force, a Netflix comedy series.)

Retired Air Force major general Clint Crosier helms the division—another strategic hire as Amazon tries to snag a bigger piece of the ever-expanding defense budget.

Bottom line: Making inroads with the U.S. military is a top priority for Amazon right now. The company recently fought for the Pentagon’s $10 billion JEDI contract and (very publicly) lost it to Microsoft.