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Jack Kiraly
Director of Government Relations, The Planetary Society
cell: +1 (202) 746-8281 email: [email protected]
Growing up in the heart of the American industrial belt in Dearborn, Michigan, Jack Kiraly earned an appreciation for hard-work and perseverance from his parents, who both worked long hours on the factory floor. He also learned the importance of unity in accomplishing great feats. Human beings are capable of awe-inspiring things when they band together. To Jack, space is an arena that brings people together across political, economic, and demographic identities to move society forward.
As Director of Government Relations, Jack is tasked with implementing The Society’s advocacy strategy, maintaining relationships with elected officials and key decision makers, organizing events to foster community engagement, and serving as the eyes and ears of the organization in the nation’s capital. A key goal of Jack’s is to use this opportunity to not only involve the scientific community in the policymaking process, but to also engage and empower members of the general public to take action to support space science and exploration.
Prior to joining The Planetary Society, Jack worked in electoral politics and community organizing. This experience gives him a skillset of working with various constituencies, building diverse coalitions, and mobilizing activists to successfully advocate for their values.
Just as space inspired him to pursue his dreams as a child, Jack knows that a robust space program not only transforms our understanding of the Universe and our place within it, but it ignites a passion for discovery and learning that transcends division. In a world often defined by boundaries, Jack sees space as a way to unite people in the pursuit of science.
Jack graduated from American University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master of Public Policy degree focusing in Science & Space Policy. Jack lives in Falls Church with his fiancée, their parakeet Paco, and 19 houseplants. He promises he won’t tell you all of their names.
Latest Articles
With the upheaval of 2025 behind us, here's what we're looking for in space policy this year.
Here's what Congress rejected of the draconian cuts faced by NASA in FY 2026.
Reflections on a historic year for space advocacy.
Latest Planetary Radio Appearances
Chief of Space Policy Casey Dreier and Director of Government Relations Jack Kiraly break down what NASA authorization bills actually do and why these laws matter for long-term U.S. space policy, from science missions to human spaceflight and planetary defense.
Congress has passed a budget that restores near-full funding for NASA science after months of uncertainty. We break down what was saved, what was lost, and what comes next.
As NASA faces unprecedented proposed cuts to its science programs, Planetary Radio looks back at a pivotal year for U.S. space policy and advocacy. The Planetary Society’s space policy team unpacks what happened, why funding uncertainty matters, and what comes next for space science.