Executive networking platform WashingtonExec has named Vir Thanvi, senior vice president of integrated solutions at Entarian, as co-chair of its Space Council.
In this leadership role, Thanvi will guide collaborative discussions among leaders across government agencies, commercial space enterprises, defense contractors, and academic institutions.
The council’s agenda focuses on emerging space capabilities, orbital architecture resilience, supply chain security, and public-private sector integration.
Thanvi brings more than 25 years of aerospace experience to the post, having spent much of his career supporting high-profile federal civil and defense space programs.
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Prior to joining Entarian, he served as deputy program manager within the Exploration and Space Communications Projects Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
In that position, he managed a portfolio with an annual budget exceeding $200 million and a combined team of more than 700 civil servants and contractors.
During his tenure at NASA, Thanvi played an integral role in shaping the agency’s communication and navigation infrastructure for human spaceflight and robotic missions. He was the founding leader of NASA’s Near Space Network, managing globally distributed ground stations and satellite relay systems.
He also spearheaded the Near Space Network Services procurement, a major effort aimed at commercializing communication and navigation services to support NASA’s lunar exploration goals. His contributions to the agency earned him the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal alongside several administrative honors.
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Thanvi’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
He also holds professional credentials as a certified Project Management Professional and ITIL practitioner.
As Space Council co-chair, Thanvi aims to foster a neutral platform where industry stakeholders can collaborate on regulatory policies, operational challenges, and technological innovation.
“Excellence is not a goal for me—it is a standard,” Thanvi said. “Serving as co-chairperson of this council is an opportunity to extend that commitment, supporting a community united by mission, vision, and curiosity.”