Mike Betts Joins Intuitive Machines as VP, National Security Space Strategy
Brings More Than Three Decades of Leadership Experience to the Role
Mike Betts has been hired by Intuitive Machines as Vice President of National Security Space Strategy. He brings more than three decades of leadership experience in national security space, technical intelligence, and interagency strategy.
“Mike brings deep national security space expertise that will strengthen our role in protecting the United States on Earth and far beyond it.”
Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is combining the full capability of its space infrastructure, delivery, and end-to-end data services, enabling customers to securely and reliably transmit data with minimal latency for real-time decision-making, adaptive mission planning, and coordinated action. The Company is focused on creating a powerful asset for our country’s national security and everyone’s wellbeing and safety.
In his new role, Mr. Betts will align Intuitive Machines’ infrastructure and mission services with National Security Space needs, ensuring the Company remains at the forefront of safeguarding United States’ interests in space. In addition, he will advance partnerships with government and industry to ensure resilient, secure, and mission-ready capabilities in the rapidly evolving lunar and cislunar domains.
“Mike brings deep national security space expertise that will strengthen our role in protecting the United States on Earth and far beyond it,” said Intuitive Machines CEO, Steve Altemus. “His distinguished service in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including his leadership as National Intelligence Manager for Space, reflects a career spent defining the intelligence community’s posture across defense, civil, and commercial space. We’re proud to have him bring that perspective to Intuitive Machines.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Betts held senior positions at the National Reconnaissance Office, where he directed specialized technical initiatives and developed innovative collection strategies to maximize system capabilities. He also served on the National Intelligence Council, driving interagency collaboration on science and technology assessments and advancing analytic tradecraft.
An industry recognized strategist, Mr. Betts has been instrumental in building public-private partnerships through the Intelligence Community’s talent exchange program, fostering collaboration across government and commercial sectors to address critical skillset needs for the coming decade. His expertise spans workforce development, technical intelligence, and space domain strategy.
Intuitive Machines welcomes Mr. Betts to the team and looks forward to the innovation, resilience, and strategic growth he will help drive as the Company continues building the infrastructure for a thriving and secure space economy.
Outstanding hire for Intuitive Machines. Betts' background bridging intel community and NRO collection strategies shows how cislunar security isn't just about satellite tech but understanding adversarial intent in near-real time. What's interesting is that his workforce development focus might actually be more critical than the hardware, since most natsec space players still treat commercial partnerships liek afterthoughts rather than integrated capabilties.