Launcher Names Tim Berry as Head of Manufacturing

The former Manager of Additive Manufacturing at SpaceX will lead Launcher’s Additive and Machining capabilities and build world-class Production and Integration systems for Launcher’s products.

HAWTHORNE, Calif., February 15, 2022 (Launcher PR) – Launcher (launcherspace.com), an industry-leading developer of highly efficient rockets and transfer vehicles, has appointed Tim Berry as its Head of Manufacturing.

Launcher opened its 24,000 square foot production facility in Los Angeles in June 2021 and currently operates a fleet of cutting-edge metal additive platforms and other advanced manufacturing assets from partners including Velo3D and EOS. Today, Launcher produces every major part of its transfer vehicle, Orbiter, and E-2 liquid rocket engine in-house, as part of its strategy to build, test, and iterate as cost-effectively as possible as it develops high-performance rockets and transfer vehicles.

With Launcher’s first flight of Orbiter scheduled for October 2022, and three additional flights scheduled for 2023, Berry will oversee the creation of Launcher’s state-of-the-art integration cleanroom, supporting assembly line, and team to ready the Orbiter spacecraft for flight on SpaceX Rideshare later this year. In parallel, Berry and his team will advance Launcher’s ongoing E-2 liquid rocket engine and Launcher Light vehicle rapid prototyping, production, and integration for first flight in 2024.

Tim Berry’s experience is unmatched for the role, merging rapid, low-cost aerospace production with innovative, high-volume metal 3D printing and launch vehicle and crew-rated spacecraft integration during his 8+-year career at SpaceX in the following roles:

Manager of Additive Manufacturing – Overseeing all Production and Development Additive Manufacturing including Applications, Process, and Operations Engineering as well as Technician and Scheduling teams. Managing a sizable fleet of printers spanning four platforms, including Velo3D, while achieving one of the highest outputs of any additive manufacturing line in the world.

SpaceX Dragon Crew and Cargo Integration Supervisor (2019-2021) – Leading a large team of leads, engineers, and technicians and responsible for building the integration system that produced eight Dragon Crew and Cargo spacecraft.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Stage 2 Lead (2013-2019) – Leading a multidisciplinary team performing a wide array of production processes, from structures to final integration, to manufacture 90 upper stages for Falcon 9 missions–while significantly improving exit rate.

“I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to join Launcher and support its dedicated team and ambitious goals. Launcher represents a unique opportunity to leverage my experience to build a high-volume advanced manufacturing operation.” said Tim Berry. “With an insanely cool product mix driven by a talented design team and a laser focus on quality, cost, and performance, I look forward to facilitating Launcher’s growth and helping to deliver reliable access to orbit for our customers.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Tim join our team in this role. He brings a combination of the ideal experience and background to have a rapid impact on our growth. His timing is impeccable as we transition from building the basics of our factory to transitioning into an organization that can build reliable low-cost orbital spacecraft at high volume” said Max Haot, Founder and CEO at Launcher.