David Mauro
Role: Investigator
Sites: CDL-Milan, CDL-Paris, CDL-Texas, CDL-Toronto
Stream: Space
David Mauro works with space startup CEOs on strategy, market entry, and the leadership demands of building a company in the emerging space economy, drawing on more than thirty years of operational command, NASA mission development and organizational leadership, and direct work with founders facing similar decisions.
His formation began in the Italian Navy’s San Marco Regiment, where he commanded a rifle assault company and led a 160-marine task force in Iraq. During fourteen years of service, he also served in Italy, Albania, East Timor, Australia, and Kosovo. That experience shaped a discipline he has carried into every role since: lead without waiting for permission, act with incomplete information, and hold people accountable to outcomes rather than intentions.
Since 2010, David has served at NASA Ames Research Center in roles spanning mission concept development, divisional leadership, and portfolio integration across space exploration efforts. His work has required building alignment across scientists, engineers, and program offices, often without direct authority over any of them, by building trust, setting clear priorities, and keeping the mission itself as the basis for decisions. He is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal.
His academic background traces a deliberate arc: a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pisa, a Master in Space Studies from the International Space University, and a Global Executive MBA from Rotman–SDA Bocconi, earned cum laude. He is a TEDx Speaker. Outside his professional roles, he volunteers as an EMT and first responder on 911 calls with his local fire department.
As Founder and Principal of Mare Astralis Advisory LLC, David contributes to CDL Space technical depth, institutional perspective, and judgment under uncertainty for founders building in complex environments.
Advisory activities at CDL Space are performed by David in his personal, pro bono capacity and do not reflect the views of NASA or the U.S. Government.