Personnel Moves: Spaceflight Inc. Gets New CEO as Curt Blake Steps Down, Justin Kugler Departs Redwire, and More

Here’s a roundup of the latest personnel changes by Spaceflight Inc., ILS, Redwire, Astra Space and Astroscale.

New Spaceflight Inc. CEO

Spaceflight Inc. has announced that former International Launch Services (ILS) President Tiphaine Louradour will succeed Curt Blake as CEO of the company, which arranges rideshare launches and in-orbit transportation for small satellite operators.

“We are thrilled to introduce a leader of Tiphaine’s caliber into Spaceflight’s next phase of growth,” said Kensuke Kubota, Mitsui general manager and chairman of the Spaceflight board of directors. “She possesses the passion, industry expertise, strategic leadership skills, and collaborative relationship building prowess to create an even greater, more successful, Spaceflight organization going forward. Curt’s contributions over the past 12 years are immeasurable and we’re forever grateful to have had his leadership and entrepreneurial business acumen to build Spaceflight into a market leader.”

Louradour had served as president of ILS since March 2020. She previously spent 13 years in various positions at United Launch Alliance, including as president of global commercial sales.

ILS is a U.S.-based company that was established to market launches on Russian Proton boosters. That task became more difficult in recent years due to the rise of SpaceX’s lower cost Falcon 9 booster, and a reduction in the number of geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellites as companies have shifted to large constellations orbiting in low and medium Earth orbits. GEO satellites were a primary market for Proton rockets.

Western sanctions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February have made even more difficult to market Proton launches overseas. The booster has launched only four times in the last three years with only domestic satellites aboard.

Spaceflight Inc. said that Blake will consult for Mitsui & Co.’s space group and provide legal and strategic counsel to various companies in the space industry. Mitsui purchased Spaceflight Inc. in February 2020.

Justin Kugler Departs Redwire

Justin Kugler has announced his departure as Redwire’s (NYS: RDW) in-space manufacturing and operations after more than two years at the company. Kugler joined Redwire after the company acquired Made in Space in June 2020.

I joined @MadeInSpace 7 years ago today, helped grow our space manufacturing business, & built an incredible team,” Kugler tweeted. “After agreeing on an amicable departure with @RedwireSpace, my last day will be Feb 10th. I look forward to the next challenge. Let me know what’s on your radar!”

Kugler joined Made in Space in February 2016 overseeing business development for advanced projects. He was promoted to vice president of advanced programs and concepts in Jan. 2019.

Made in Space has pioneered in-space manufacturing using additive (3D) manufacturing. The company sent the first 3D printer to the International Space Station.

Astroscale Appoints Commercial Director

Astroscale Ltd., the UK and European subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc. (“Astroscale”), has appointed Andrew Faiola as its commercial director. The UK-based executive is responsible for leading the in-orbit servicing company’s commercial sales, development and marketing activities.

“I am delighted to welcome Andrew as Commercial Director,” said Nick Shave, Astroscale Ltd. Managing Director. “With his broad commercial experience and understanding of the challenges satellite operators face across all orbits, he brings a unique perspective to the cutting-edge solutions we are developing for the in-orbit servicing, satellite end-of-life services and the active debris removal markets.”

Faiola has with more than 20 years’ experience in commercial sales and market development roles with a focus on delivering connectivity and access to information to remote locations. He previously held leadership positions at ALL.SPACE Ltd., ST Engineering iDirect, Newtec, Intelsat, SES (formerly NewSkies Satellites), and Esatel Communications.

Astra Space Appoints New Director

Launch provider Astra Space (NAS: ASTS) has appointed Julie Cullivan to its Board of Directors effective Feb. 1. She also joined the company’s Audit Committee.

“Julie’s leadership will be instrumental as Astra focuses on delivering the next version of its launch system and spacecraft engines to support mission-critical applications that demand the highest levels of security and reliability,” said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Astra. “Her perspective and expertise will be invaluable to the organization, and we are excited to have her join our Board of Directors.”

Cullivan has held executive positions at FireEye, Autodesk, Forescout, McAfee, EMC, and Oracle. She is a recognized leader in cybersecurity and compliance and a sought-after speaker on topics including security as a boardroom imperative, women in security, innovation, and building high impact teams.