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Space takes more than astronauts. We prepare the people who make it possible.

A nonprofit advancing the education, research, and support that human spaceflight depends on.

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Our programs

About the Foundation

Exploration has always depended on people willing to push beyond what is known, possible, and comfortable.

Behind every mission is a much larger ecosystem of people, knowledge, technology, preparation, and collaboration that makes exploration possible.

The IPA Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to strengthen that ecosystem. The Foundation brings together educators, scientists, explorers, researchers, government organizations, academic institutions, and industry expertise to expand opportunity, advance knowledge, and contribute to the capabilities required for human exploration.

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Its focus extends beyond space itself. Aerospace, maritime and subsea environments, robotics, autonomous systems, emergency preparedness, environmental survivability, and other emerging technologies all offer opportunities to better understand how people and systems perform when the stakes are high and the environment is unforgiving.

At its core, the Foundation exists to help turn the knowledge and experience gained through exploration into lasting public benefit while helping prepare the people who will carry that work forward.

New U.S. space jobs projected over the next decade
300,000
Of high school students take a foundational computer science course
6.1%
Of NASA astronauts show at least one sign of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome
81%
After landing, astronaut bone strength has still not returned to preflight levels
12 months

Sources: Space Workforce Incubator for Texas, 2025 · Code.org, 2024–25 · Eye, expert consensus, 2026 · Scientific Reports, 2022

We have spent careers alongside the people who do this work. That experience is the reason the Foundation exists, and it is the standard the Foundation holds itself to.

Our programs

What the Foundation does.

The IPA Space Foundation supports students, educators, emerging professionals, astronauts, and others whose lives and careers can be strengthened through education, opportunity, preparation, and support.

IPA Space Camp students around the rover they built in the workshop

Educate

Educational opportunities that inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, aerospace, and human spaceflight while preparing students and early-career professionals for the workforce of the future.

  • STEM Education & Workforce Development

    Educational programs that provide students from elementary school through university and vocational training with hands-on STEM learning, including classroom instruction, laboratory demonstrations, engineering simulations, robotics, aerospace activities, and public science events, with an emphasis on expanding access for underserved communities.

    The Foundation works with universities, community colleges, trade schools, government agencies, and other organizations to create educational and career pathways into aerospace, science, engineering, skilled trades, robotics, emergency response, maritime operations, and related technical professions.

  • Space Camp

    Hands-on educational experiences that expose students and the public to aerospace systems, engineering, teamwork, mission operations, leadership, emergency preparedness, and scientific problem-solving.

    Programs may include simulated mission operations, underwater and environmental survivability demonstrations, robotics competitions, engineering design activities, astronaut and scientist presentations, research demonstrations, and educational field experiences.

  • Public Outreach

    Educational outreach that increases public understanding of space exploration, scientific advancement, environmental survivability, emergency preparedness, and technological innovation.

    Programs include public demonstrations, lectures, science events, astronaut and scientist presentations, museum and visitor experiences, and other opportunities that bring aerospace and science education to the public.

An engineer scans a suited test subject strapped into a seat on a test rig

Research

Scientific and educational research that advances understanding of human spaceflight, aerospace systems, extreme environments, and mission readiness. Findings contribute to public knowledge and scientific collaboration.

  • Human Sciences

    Research focused on human health, physiology, behavior, and adaptation in spaceflight and other demanding or extreme environments.

  • Space Systems

    Scientific and educational research related to space systems and the technologies, environments, and operational considerations that support human spaceflight.

  • Scientific Collaboration

    Collaborative research with educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, research organizations, and other partners.

    Research support may include educational participation opportunities, grant support, scientific demonstrations, collaborative educational research programs, public dissemination of findings, and other public-interest scientific initiatives.

An astronaut in an orange launch and entry suit walks across a ship’s flight deck with two recovery crew members

Support

The IPA Space Foundation supports the people at the center of human spaceflight. This work focuses on the human demands of exploration, including performance, survivability, preparedness, recovery, and the challenges associated with operating in extreme environments.

  • Human Performance

    Programs and initiatives addressing human performance in spaceflight and other demanding operational environments, with an emphasis on understanding and supporting the people who operate within them.

  • Mission Readiness

    Support for activities that strengthen individual and operational readiness for human spaceflight and other high-consequence missions.

  • Astronaut Support

    Support initiatives focused on the individuals who undertake human spaceflight and the unique physical, operational, and personal demands associated with their missions.

Leadership

Built by people who have worked where preparation is the difference.

The Foundation’s leadership and board are drawn from human spaceflight, engineering, scientific research, military and national security service, academia, and industry. People who have spent careers on missions where the margin is thin and the preparation is everything.

Leadership & Board

  • Board Chairman

    Scott Freeman

    Founder & Executive Director

  • Board Member

    Brittany Berry

    Director of Operations

  • Board Member

    Clayton Anderson

    NASA Astronaut

  • Board Member

    Dan Cronin

    Director of Finance

  • Leadership

    Jason Rusk

    Director of Programs & Development

Board Chairman

Scott Freeman

Founder & Executive Director

Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Foundation, leads the Board of Directors, and oversees the execution of its mission, programs, partnerships, and operations.

Scott founded the IPA Space Foundation with a perspective shaped by more than three decades of leadership across military service, national security, entrepreneurship, and human spaceflight.

As founder and CEO of International Preparedness Associates, Inc. (IPA), Scott has led mission-critical engineering, training, and operational programs across defense, intelligence, aviation, maritime, security, and space, including decades of support to NASA and the preparation and certification of astronauts. A lifelong aviator, he is also a licensed pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

A decorated combat veteran Navy SEAL, Scott later served in the Middle East with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he received the agency’s highest awards for service.

He founded the IPA Space Foundation to apply that experience to a broader purpose: advancing knowledge, expanding opportunity, and supporting the people who undertake human exploration. As Executive Director, Scott guides the Foundation’s strategy and partnerships across the space community, government, academia, science, and industry.

Board Member

Brittany Berry

Director of Operations

Provides governance and strategic oversight as a Board member while leading the Foundation’s operational planning, administration, organizational processes, and corporate execution.

Brittany serves on the Board of Directors and as Director of Operations for the IPA Space Foundation, bringing experience in leadership, operations, and organizational growth. A Virginia Tech graduate, Brittany built her career from the ground up, ultimately becoming President of The IPA Group.

Throughout her career, she has helped organizations grow, adapt, and build the teams and structure needed for long-term success. At the IPA Space Foundation, Brittany helps turn the Foundation’s mission and priorities into programs and operations that deliver meaningful results.

Her experience across finance, compliance, and executive management gives the Foundation practical expertise in building the internal structure needed to support its growth.

At the IPA Space Foundation, Brittany helps shape strategic direction while leading the operational infrastructure needed to translate its mission into sustainable programs, partnerships, and lasting impact.

Board Member

Clayton Anderson

NASA Astronaut

Spaceflights
2
Days in space
167
Spacewalks
6
Hours outside the spacecraft
38+

Provides strategic guidance and governance informed by firsthand human spaceflight experience, helping ensure the Foundation’s programs remain relevant to the needs of astronauts and the broader space community.

Clay serves on the Board of Directors of the IPA Space Foundation, bringing the perspective of someone who has lived and worked in space and understands firsthand what it takes to prepare people for the demands of human spaceflight.

A veteran of two spaceflights, Clay spent five months living and working aboard the International Space Station as a flight engineer and science officer before returning to space aboard Shuttle Discovery. Across his NASA missions, he logged 167 days in space and completed six spacewalks totaling more than 38 hours outside the spacecraft.

At the IPA Space Foundation, Clay helps keep the astronaut community at the heart of the mission. His experience guides the Foundation’s work supporting astronauts and their families while helping create opportunities for students and future generations pursuing careers in space, science, and exploration.

Board Member

Dan Cronin

Director of Finance

Provides governance and strategic oversight as a Board member while leading the Foundation’s financial planning, budgeting, reporting, controls, and fiscal stewardship.

Dan serves as a Board Member and Director of Finance for the IPA Space Foundation, bringing a career built around financial stewardship, sound judgment, and helping organizations prepare for what comes next.

A Virginia Tech graduate with an MBA in Finance from Old Dominion University, Dan spent more than three decades in commercial banking, rising from branch management to senior executive leadership.

He later became Chief Financial Officer of Regulus Global, bringing his banking experience directly into a growing defense and government business. Dan helped position the company for growth, strengthen its operations, secure financing, and guide major business decisions.

Dan has also spent decades serving nonprofit, civic, and business organizations. At the IPA Space Foundation, he brings that experience to protecting the Foundation’s resources and ensuring they are used responsibly to support its mission.

Leadership

Jason Rusk

Director of Programs & Development

Leads the Foundation’s programs and development efforts, translating its mission into impactful initiatives while building the funding, partnerships, and resources needed to sustain and expand them.

Jason serves as Director of Programs and Development for the IPA Space Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of experience across technology, national security, government, and commercial enterprise.

Jason’s career has taken him from submarine operations and Naval Special Warfare support to intelligence and homeland security leadership, and later to senior roles in strategy, technology, product development, and organizational growth. Across these environments, he has built programs, developed new initiatives, connected mission needs with emerging capabilities, and brought diverse organizations together around shared objectives.

At the IPA Space Foundation, Jason applies that experience to shaping programs, developing strategic partnerships, and moving promising ideas from concept to execution. His focus is on connecting people, organizations, technology, and resources to build credible, sustainable initiatives that expand the Foundation’s reach and create lasting impact.
  • Maya and Alex
  • Divers in a small boat approach an Orion capsule floating with orange uprighting bags
  • An astronaut in a blue flight suit at the controls of a flight simulator
  • IPA Space Camp students around the rover they built in the workshop
  • Recovery team members in an inflatable boat alongside an Orion capsule at sea
  • Space Camp

There is a place for you in what comes next.

The future of exploration will be built by people willing to learn, discover, collaborate, and take on challenges that have never been solved before.

  • Make a Gift

    Make a one-time contribution or establish recurring support for the Foundation.

    Make a donation

  • Become a Mission Partner

    Organizations and individuals interested in making a significant philanthropic commitment can work with the Foundation to support programs, research, and future initiatives.

    Discuss a partnership

  • Corporate Sponsorship

    Partner with the IPA Space Foundation to support programs and initiatives while demonstrating your organization’s commitment to science, education, exploration, and the people who make them possible.

    Become a sponsor
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Help us build what comes next.

A student discovering a future they did not know existed. A researcher pursuing a question that could change what we understand. An astronaut better supported for the demands of exploration.

These are investments in people, knowledge, and what humanity may be capable of next.

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