Aidan Poling is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Background: Aidan currently works as a Space Industrial Base subject matter expert (SME) supporting The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ). Prior to SAF/SQ, Aidan was a Senior Research Analyst at the Mitchell Institute, where he supported Mitchell’s research on the future of air and space power. Aidan has also previously worked for the Atlantic Council, the State Department, and Capitol Hill.

Areas of focus: Defense industrial policy. Space power and space warfighting, commercial space, budget analysis, military analysis, military effectiveness, and great power competition.

Academic and professional titles: Mr. Poling received a BA in Government and History from Georgetown University in 2020. He received an MA in Security Studies from the Georgetown University Security Study’s Program in May 2023.