Kevin Coggins

Kevin Coggins serves as the director of the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Division within NASA’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate, where he leads NASA’s global civil space communications and navigation enterprise. He is responsible for the strategy, operations, acquisition, modernization, and resilience of the capabilities that connect NASA’s human exploration, science, technology, and robotic missions across Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and deep space. 

Coggins oversees one of the world’s largest and most capable civil space communications and navigation portfolios, including the Deep Space Network, Near Space Network, space relay capabilities, optical communications, lunar communications and navigation, spectrum-related mission support, and the transition toward more commercial-enabled services. These capabilities provide mission-critical command, telemetry, tracking, navigation, data return, and communications services for NASA mission, international partners, commercial space partners, and other U.S. Government agencies. 

Under his leadership, NASA’s space communications and navigation portfolio has advanced a more integrated, mission-focused and commercially engaged operating model. Coggins has led efforts to strengthen network readiness for Artemis, improve affordability and accountability across network operations, modernize acquisition approaches, expand commercial services adoption, and position NASA for a future space environment defined by higher mission volume, cislunar expansion, optical communications, resilient positioning, navigation and timing, and sustained operations beyond low Earth orbit. 

Coggins has played a leading role in aligning NASA’s communications and navigation architecture with the growth of the commercial space sector, interagency requirements, and international exploration partnerships.  His work has focused on strengthening interoperability, mission assurance, resilience, and scalability across government, commercial and partner networks to support the next generation of exploration and science missions from Earth orbit to the lunar surface, Mars and deep space. 

Before joining NASA, Coggins served in senior executive roles across government and industry.  He was the Army’s first Director of the Assured PNT Cross-Functional Team and served as the direct reporting program manager for Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing.  His industry experience includes senior executive roles in Fortune 500 aerospace and defense companies, engineering leadership positions across the aerospace and defense sectors, and service as founder of a technology startup. 

Coggins is native of Pensacola, Florida, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Force Reconnaissance Team Leader.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Florida and studied at the Naval Postgraduate School, Defense Acquisition University, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.