David Todd

Senior Space Analyst

At Ascend since 1997, David provides consulting services to the space and insurance industries. He also edits Ascend’s SpaceTrak launch and satellite database and produces the monthly Space Intelligence News.

During his degree studies, David won the British Airways prize for Air Transport Engineering and a Guinness Peat Aviation Fellowship. David is an Associate Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and Member of the British Interplanetary Society. He has served as judge for the Flight International Aerospace Industry Prizes. David holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Metallurgy and two Master of Science degrees -- in Air Transport Engineering and in Astronautics and Space Engineering.

Phil Hylands

Space Analyst

Phil is responsible for the production of the Space Review portfolio and maintaining the SpaceTrak database. Previously, Phil was Space Systems Analyst at Salex Sensors and Airbourne Systems, where conducted detailed research and analysis for the creation and maintenance of electronic databases. Before Salex, Phil enjoyed a 24-year posting in HM Forces, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer and serving in several Royal Navy units within electronic warfare and intelligence.