Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP
For fifteen years as co-leader of Hogan Lovells' space and satellite practice, Randy Segal has guided more than 200 space and satellite companies through mission-critical programs in entirely new domains. Her practice encompasses the full spectrum of contemporary space activity: commercial space stations that will replace the International Space Station, manned spaceflight operations expanding human presence beyond Earth, reusable launch vehicles revolutionizing access to space, megaconstellations connecting the unconnected, hosted payloads maximizing spacecraft utility, mission extension services preserving orbital assets, and in-orbit manufacturing opening new economic frontiers. In each case, Segal has navigated uncharted regulatory territory, transforming obstacles into pathways that enable visionary companies to achieve their missions.
Equally significant is Segal's work with global sovereigns seeking to become space-faring nations. Her ability to translate between commercial space capabilities and sovereign requirements has been instrumental in helping nations achieve their security, economic, and scientific goals in space. This bridge-building between commercial innovation and sovereign needs has accelerated global participation in the space economy while advancing both national security objectives and commercial growth.
This expansive impact builds upon foundational leadership established during eighteen years guiding legal strategy for pioneering companies. As General Counsel of American Mobile Satellite Company (later Mobile Satellite Ventures, SkyTerra, LightSquared, and Ligado), startup counsel and Board member for XM Satellite Radio and Terrestar, and General Counsel for Hughes Network Systems, Segal positioned herself alongside—and across the negotiating table from—the industry's founders and Hall of Fame inductees. In an era when innovative space companies often started with little more than a concept and a clean sheet of paper, she understood that legal and regulatory frameworks could determine whether ambitious visions succeeded or failed. Her work establishing the legal foundations for mobile satellite services, satellite radio, and advanced communications networks required navigating complex regulatory environments while protecting intellectual property and structuring global deployments—experience that positioned her uniquely to understand both the technical aspirations of visionary entrepreneurs and the regulatory realities that would enable or constrain their success.
Beyond her practice, Segal's commitment to developing the next generation of space leaders earned her recognition as SSPI's 2018 Mentor of the Year. She teaches space law at Northwestern University School of Law and lectures regularly at International Space University and Leiden University, ensuring her knowledge and experience shape future industry leaders.
Randy Segal's sustained leadership has repeatedly moved the industry forward by enabling new participants to enter the space economy and helping established players expand into unprecedented domains—establishing a legacy that will continue influencing the industry's growth for decades to come.
