DOD Names Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy

The Department of Defense said Vipin Narang will serve as acting assistant secretary of defense for space policy beginning Monday.

Narang, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, will fill the role left by John Plumb, whose departure was confirmed in March two years after he was confirmed by the Senate.

Plumb made significant contributions to the agency, including his work on easing classifications on space programs, implementing the commercial space integration policy and expanding partnerships through the Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals Board, Defense .gov reported.

As acting assistant secretary, Narang will deal with space policy, which involves missile defense, cyber, nuclear weapons, electromagnetic warfare and weapons of mass destruction.

The appointment expands his current responsibilities, including overseeing space as a warfighting domain and serving as the principal cyber adviser to the secretary of defense.

Narang holds a doctorate degree in government from Harvard University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Stanford University.