MDAA is honored and excited to announce The University of Arizona AETOS Executive Program ’26; the Arizona Near Space Studies Institute, developing technical leaders across the Terrestrial, Near Space, and Space domains.
The AETOS (Advanced Education & Terrestrial Operations and Space) Program is an eight-month, seven-session collaborative training initiative offered in partnership with the University of Arizona College of Engineering. Designed for military and civilian leaders, the program focuses on the technology threats, opportunities, and policy challenges related to near-space and terrestrial operations.
AETOS leverages the College of Engineering’s state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty to advance research and development across terrestrial, near-space (~80,000 feet and below), and space platforms and technologies. This range has wide utility, from experimental platforms, command and control systems, and quantum computing to photon communications and negation platforms. The program is designed to close the widening gap in these domains for both civilian and military uses by the United States and its allies.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering and the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance announced the launch of the Arizona AETOS Program on May 21, 2026. Read the full press release below.
U of A College of Engineering and Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Launch National Security Initiative
The program is led by the University of Arizona’s renowned faculty in Engineering, under the leadership of David W. Hahn, Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering, along with guest speakers from current and former senior defense officials, military leaders, and experts in defense policy, strategy, operations, and innovation. The program’s hybrid design leverages innovative technology and in-person sessions that fully prepare students to lead in the field. The capstone exercise, presented during the final session, consists of group projects in which participants tackle some of the toughest problems facing government and military leaders across the terrestrial, near-space, and space defense domains.
“Near-Space is a crucial domain in the future of missile defense and detection, and investments made today in platforms and systems to operate within could make the key difference between success and failure in the detection and defeat of hypersonic threats high and hot as well as low, slow and cold threats to the homeland.”
Mr. Riki Ellison, MDAA Chairman and Founder
Program Details
- Format: Eight-month, seven-session hybrid program (in-person and remote)
- Audience: Military and civilian leaders from government, defense, and innovation communities
- Focus: Technology threats, opportunities, and policy challenges across the terrestrial, near-space, and space domains
- Capstone: Group project addressing real-world defense and national-security challenges
- Partners: University of Arizona College of Engineering & Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
Cohort dates, session schedule, and the full faculty roster for the ’26 program are coming soon. Use the form below to request more information and be the first to receive updates.
MDAA is led by Riki Ellison, a 1983 graduate of the USC School of International Relations and a recipient of a certificate in Defense and Strategic Studies at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Art and Sciences. Mr. Ellison was also presented the Scholar-Athlete Award of Honor by the David X. Marks Foundation. During his time at USC, he started at middle linebacker on the football teams that won the 1978 national championship and 1979 and 1980 Rose Bowls.
Request Information
AETOS 2026 – Interest Form
Tell us about yourself and we’ll be in touch with details about the University of Arizona AETOS Executive Program ’26.