Audrey Powers
Audrey Powers is the Deputy General Counsel for Blue Origin, a commercial space company operating and developing two reusable launch vehicle programs—the New Shepard suborbital reusable launch vehicle, and the New Glenn orbital reusable launch vehicle. Blue Origin also designs and manufactures launch vehicle engines and pursues other advanced development initiatives in space.
Audrey received a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering from Purdue University and worked as an engineer for almost 10 years prior to becoming a lawyer. As a guidance and controls engineer, she was a flight controller for NASA with 2000 hours of console time in Mission Control for the International Space Station Program, where she supported numerous space shuttle assembly flights, led technical meetings with the Russian Space Agency, and directed recovery of the ISS attitude control system during two on-orbit emergencies. Audrey also supported government satellite programs for Lockheed Martin.
Audrey received a Juris Doctor in 2008 from Santa Clara University School of Law, and is admitted to the California, Washington, and DC bars. As Blue Origin’s Deputy General Counsel, Audrey handles a wide variety of legal matters, but focuses primarily on progressing the legal framework that governs commercial and civil space activities. Audrey is committed to reducing regulatory burdens on space vehicle operators, thus promoting emerging technologies while ensuring safe operability of those vehicles. Audrey has appeared on numerous conference panels and testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aviation Subcommittee on the topic of reform of space vehicle launch & reentry licensing regulations.
Audrey’s other responsibilities at Blue Origin include high value supplier negotiations, land use and construction matters, launch vehicle licensing, maritime law, and insurance and risk management.
[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.