Indian American aerospace executive Vir Thanvi has been named co-chair of the WashingtonExec Space Council, a forum connecting leaders from government, industry and academia around the priorities shaping the U.S. space enterprise.

Thanvi is senior vice president of integrated solutions at Entarian, where he contributes to strategy, capabilities and partnerships across civilian, defense and space programs. In his council role, he will help guide discussions on resilient mission architectures, optical communications, automated operations, secure supply chains and the growing role of commercial providers in national space missions.

He brings nearly three decades of experience in space communications, satellite ground systems, mission operations and federal acquisition. Before joining Entarian, Thanvi served in NASA’s Exploration and Space Communications Division and led the agency’s Near Space Network.

That network provides communications support for science and human spaceflight missions, including the International Space Station and Artemis. Thanvi’s work included developing systems that combine space-relay and direct-to-Earth transmissions, along with advances involving optical communications, commercial services and emerging quantum concepts.

He also led the Near Space Network Services procurement from its beginning through contract award. The effort resulted in NASA’s first commercial lunar relay services and helped establish a foundation for private-sector participation in communications supporting future lunar exploration.

NASA recognized Thanvi’s contributions with an Exceptional Achievement Medal and multiple commendations. His experience managing technical programs and partnerships gives the Space Council a leader familiar with both federal mission requirements and the capabilities of government contractors.

Thanvi said he wants the council to strengthen alignment between national priorities and rapidly developing commercial technologies. He also plans to encourage discussion of interoperability, regulatory frameworks, risk-informed engineering and ways to protect space and ground assets as threats evolve.

The appointment gives an Indian American space leader a visible role in conversations influencing U.S. readiness, exploration and technology policy. Through WashingtonExec, Thanvi will help executives and public officials identify shared challenges, build trusted relationships and move promising capabilities toward mission use.

Key Takeaways About Vir Thanvi

• He has been named co-chair of the WashingtonExec Space Council.
• He is a senior vice president at Entarian.
• He previously led NASA’s Near Space Network.
• His work supported the International Space Station and Artemis.
• NASA honored him with an Exceptional Achievement Medal.