Tate obtained his M.S. in Aerospace Sciences from the University of North Dakota, which included an interdisciplinary focus in engineering, human factors, planetary science, and space law. His research focused on addressing space debris mitigation. In addition, he obtained a B.A. in Intelligence and National Security from Coastal Carolina University, where he researched space-based warfare, geopolitical concerns, and the development of public-private partnerships in space.

 

He is an analog astronaut, serving as the Health & Safety Officer (HSO) on the MDRS TMS1 mission, as a Mission Specialist on ILMAH XXII, and as crew on Prometheus IV, researching team dynamics and response in off-nominal scenarios, in addition to conducting spirometry studies to assess astronaut lung performance.

 

He is also a member of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences after participating in the PoSSUM scientist-astronaut program where he focused on design and training aspects integral to noctilucent cloud tomography on suborbital commercial space vehicles.

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He is currently completing his J.D./LL.M. in Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi, where his research is addressing feasibility of space debris salvaging and recycling, in addition to seperate research on medical-decision making for long-term human spaceflight. 

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Tate has worked for ARKA Group, L.P., now CACI, in their contracts division since May 2025, has served on the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Discussion Group for the U.S. Department of State delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) since January 2026, has served on the Space Resource Activities (SRA) Discussion Group for the U.S. Department of State delegation to UNCOPUOS since March 2026, and served on the Expert Initiative on Article XI of the Outer Space Treaty for the International Institute of Space Law drafting a Conference Report to the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS from February 2026 to April 2026.