AFA Connect
What is AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies?
The Mitchell Institute is an AFA-affiliated research organization focused on airpower, spacepower, and national security. This guide helps you find its work and distinguish research from Association advocacy.
How does the Mitchell Institute relate to AFA?
The Air & Space Forces Association lists the Mitchell Institute under its advocacy resources and links to the Institute's own website. The Institute describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan research organization. Its analyses inform debate about aerospace power; a Mitchell study is not automatically an official AFA legislative position. For the Association's published policy priorities, use our AFA advocacy guide and its links to the current official statements.
What does the Institute publish?
Its public work includes research publications, news, a podcast, and event programming. If you want a paper on a specific air or space issue, start with the live publications library; the Institute's events calendar is the place to check a briefing's date and registration. Our AFA events page covers Association events and may not list every Institute program. For a current author, title, argument, or event detail, use the original Institute page rather than an older summary.
Where can I see Mitchell experts explain space security?
PBS NOVA's Space Wars documentary, which aired October 7, 2026, examines threats to satellites and the civilian and military services that depend on them. AFA says Mitchell Institute researchers Charles Galbreath and Jennifer Reeves advised the production, while retired Gen. Kevin P. Chilton was interviewed. Read AFA's account of the Institute's contribution, then use the PBS page for the documentary itself. This is an example of the Institute sharing spacepower expertise with a public audience; it is not a new Institute research paper or an AFA policy statement.
Where should I start?
- For the Institute's purpose and current team, read its official About page.
- For aerospace-power studies, browse the publications library and open the paper itself before citing a finding.
- For AFA's own priorities or ways to take part locally, compare our advocacy guide, mission guide, and Chapter directory.
- For the Institute's dean, read our David Deptula profile and its primary biography links.
Sources and review date
Reviewed October 13, 2026 against AFA's Mitchell Institute overview, the Institute's official About page, and AFA's October 8 documentary announcement. Research topics, staff, publications, and event schedules change; follow the Institute's live pages for current details.