Mariel Borowitz
Associate Professor
Member Of:
- Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
- Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy
- ADVANCE IAC
Office Phone:404-385-1494
Office Location: Habersham 318
Related Links:
Email Address: mariel.borowitz@inta.gatech.edu
Overview
Mariel Borowitz is an Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Director of the Georgia Tech Center for Space Policy and International Relations. She is also head of the Nunn School Program on International Affairs, Science, and Technology and Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal, New Space. Her research deals with international space policy issues, including international cooperation and competition on Earth observation; strategic aspects of exploration and development of the Moon; and space safety, sustainability, and security. Her book, “Open Space: The Global Effort for Open Access to Environmental Satellite Data," published by MIT Press, examines trends in the development of data sharing policies governing Earth observing satellites, as well as interactions with the growing commercial remote sensing sector. Her work has been published in Science, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Space Policy, Astropolitics, and New Space. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Dr. Borowitz is also currently detailed to the U.S. Office of Space Commerce in a half-time capacity as the Director of International Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Engagement. In this role, she focuses on the development and implementation of an approach to international coordination on space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. She also works directly with the team developing the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), which will provide space safety services to civil and commercial users around the world. Dr. Borowitz previously completed a detail as a policy analyst for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC from 2016 to 2018. In 2022, she testified to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics in a hearing titled, "Space Situational Awareness: Guiding the Transition to a Civil Capability."
Dr. Borowitz earned a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Maryland and a Masters degree in International Science and Technology Policy from the George Washington University. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Education:
- PhD, University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
- MA, George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, Space Policy Institute
- SB, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Minor in Applied International Studies
Awards and
Distinctions:
Distinctions:
- Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Gold Star Faculty Research Award, 2024
- Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Faculty Excellence in Research Award, 2024
- Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Gold Star Faculty Research Award, 2021
- MGMWERX Space Case Study Prize Challenge, Second Place Award, Air University (AU) at Maxwell Air Force Base, 2020
- Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Gold Star 1 Travel Award, 2017
- Georgia Tech Teaching Fellowship Mentor Award, GTRC Strategic Grant, 2017
- Research Honorarium, Program on Strategic Stability Evaluation (POSSE), 2016
- European Commission Travel Grant to attend “The Climate Symposium 2014” in Darmstadt, Germany, 2014
- Yamamoto Fund, University of Maryland Center for International Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM), 2013
Interests
Teaching Interests:
Space Policy; Space Security; Modeling, Simulation, and Military Gaming;
Research Interests:
Space Policy; Information Policy; Space Diplomacy; International Security
Research Fields:
- Emerging Technology and Security
- International Diffusion and Innovation in IT
- International Security Policy
- Science, Technology, and International Policy
Issues:
- Emerging Technologies - Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Policy Analysis
- Science and Engineering Workforces
- Science and Technology
- Space
- Strategy
- Sustainability
- Technology and Innovation
- Technology Management and Policy
Courses
- INTA-2010: Empirical Methods
- INTA-2040: Sci,Tech & Int'l Affairs
- INTA-3043: Space Policy
- INTA-4050: Int'l Affair&Tech Policy
- INTA-4699: Undergraduate Research
- INTA-4742: Mod, Sim&Military Gaming
- INTA-4803: Special Topics: Space Policy
- INTA-4803: Special Topics: Space Security
- INTA-6742: Mod, Sim&Military Gaming
- INTA-8803: Special Topics
- INTA-8803: Special Topics: Space Policy
- INTA-8803: Special Topics: Space Security
Publications
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
- Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
In: Data & Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- Cislunar orbit collision probability analysis
In: Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- The potential for conflict in cislunar space: Findings from a tabletop exercise
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- US Strategic Interest in the Moon: An Assessment of Economic, National Security, and Geopolitical Drivers
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2024
- Cislunar Positioning, Navigation, and Timing: International Relations and Policy Implications
In: New Space [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
All Publications
Books
- Open Space: The Global Effort for Open Environmental Satellite Data
Date: December 2017
Journal Articles
- Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
In: Data & Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- Cislunar orbit collision probability analysis
In: Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- The potential for conflict in cislunar space: Findings from a tabletop exercise
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2025
- US Strategic Interest in the Moon: An Assessment of Economic, National Security, and Geopolitical Drivers
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2024
- Cislunar Positioning, Navigation, and Timing: International Relations and Policy Implications
In: New Space [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
- Examining the value of satellite data in halting transmission of polio in Nigeria: A socioeconomic analysis
In: Data & Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
- Let’s Just Talk About the Weather: Weather Satellites and Space Diplomacy
In: The Hague Journal of Diplomacy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
- Teaching social science aspects of space: A transdisciplinary approach
In: Space Polciy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
- The megaregion–forms, functions, and potential? A literature review and proposal for advancing research
In: International Journal of Urban Sciences [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2023
- Examining the Growth of the Global Space Situational Awareness Sector: A Network Analysis Approach
In: Space Policy
Date: 2022
- An Interoperable Information Umbrella: Sharing Space Information Technology
In: Strategic Studies Quarterly [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2021
- National Security Implications of Emerging Satellite Technologies
In: Orbis
Date: October 2020
- Government Engagement with Commercial Remote Sensing Companies: A Framework for Evaluating Public Data Buys
In: New Space [Peer Reviewed]
Date: August 2019
- Government data, commercial cloud: Will public access suffer?
In: Science [Peer Reviewed]
Date: February 2019
- Strategic Implications of the Proliferation of Space Situational Awareness Technology and Information: Lessons Learned from the Remote Sensing Sector
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: February 2019
- Is it Time for Commercial Weather Satellites? Analyzing the Case of Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation
In: New Space [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2016
- Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Next Steps for Human Space Exploration: Technical and Strategic Analysis of Option
In: Space Policy [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2016
- Challenges to Developing a Global Satellite Climate Monitoring System
In: Astropolitics [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2015
- NASA: Making Space for Women
In: MIT Undergraduate Research Journal [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2004
Other Publications
- Weather Satellites: Critical Technology in an Uncertain Environment,
In: Space Foundation
Date: 2013
- James Webb Space Telescope: A Worthy Investment in Space Science,
In: Space Foundation
Date: 2011
- Remote Sensing for Disease Early Warning
In: Space Foundation
Date: 2010
- U.S. National Space Policy Historical Comparison
In: Space Foundation
Date: 2010
- Space Applications for International Development
In: Space Foundation
Date: 2009
- The International Space Station: Decision 2015
In: Space Foudation
Date: 2009
Updated: Jan 13th, 2026 at 4:04 PM