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SSPI Names the 2020 Promise Award Winners at the Future Leaders Celebration

New York City, October 6, 2020–The Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) today presented the 2020 Promise Awards to Taylor Kerl of Maxar Technologies, Brittany Zajic of Planet and Brittany Zimmerman of Paragon Space Development. The Promise Awards honor the three top-ranked members of the annual “20 Under 35” list of space & satellite employees and entrepreneurs age 35 and under who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the early stages of their career.

BridgeComm Appoints Ethan Becker as Director of Engineering

Denver, Colo., October 5, 2020--BridgeComm today announced that Ethan Becker has been appointed as the company’s director of engineering. Becker will direct the engineering advancements for BridgeComm’s OWC solutions, including its managed optical communications array (MOCA) technology systems and deployment of ultra-fast networks.

XTAR Appoints Michael Assid as VP-Sales and Marketing

Asburn, Va, October 1, 2020--XTAR, LLC announced the appointment of Michael A. Assid as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining the XTAR team, Assid served in numerous leadership roles at Headquarters, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) and Headquarters, U.S. Space Force. 

 

 

Philipp Glänzel Appointed GM and CTO of Qvest Media Management in Dubai

Dubai, UAE, October 1, 2020--Qvest Media, a systems architect and consultant in the ICT, broadcast, and media industry, appoints Philipp Glänzel as General Manager and CTO at its Dubai location. Glänzel will complement the management team with a focus on managing all technology-relevant matters and thereby further expand Qvest Media’s strong market position in the MENA region.

 

Momentus Appoints Jikun Kim as CFO

Santa Clara, Calif., September 28, 2020--Momentus today announced the appointment of Jikun Kim as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 28, 2020. Mr. Kim’s appointment comes as Momentus prepares for the first commercial launch of Vigoride, the company’s orbital transfer vehicle designed for last mile, in-space satellite transportation services.

Globecast Appoints Antoine Guilbaud as CFO

Paris, France, September 23, 2020-- Globecast has announced the appointment of Antoine Guilbaud as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 1st.  He replaces Nathalie Krick, who is taking up a new role in Globecast’s sister company Orange Cyberdefense.

 

 

Former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin Joins Astranis as Key Advisor

San Francisco, Calif., September 17, 2020--Microsatellite developer Astranisannounced today that former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin will be joining as a senior advisor to the company and chairing its new Technical Advisory Board. In addition, the company is announcing the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for their first commercial program, a satellite for Pacific Dataport Inc. in Alaska. The CDR was completed under the supervision of Goldin with the participation of some of the space industry’s most experienced technical minds.

 

Momentus Appoints New President

Santa Clara, Calif., September 16, 2020-- Momentus Inc., a commercial space company providing in-space satellite transportation and infrastructure services, today announced the appointment of Dr. Fred Kennedy as President of the company, effective September 14, 2020.

 

 

SSPI Names Dawn Harms of Momentus as the 2020 Mentor of the Year

New York, NY, September 10, 2020--SSPI has announced that it will present its 2020 Mentor of the Year Award to Dawn Harms, Chief Revenue Officer at Momentus Inc Dawn will be honored on October 6 at SSPI’s 15th Annual Future Leaders Celebration for the attention, support and guidance she has provided to young professionals throughout her career.

 

Interview with Steve Richeson, Vice-President-Sales, Mission Microwave

Satellite Markets and Research Editor-in-Chief Virgil Labrador spoke with Steve Richeson, Vice-President-Sales of Mission Microwave on how their company is coping with the global pandemic and how he sees it emerging from it and key trends to watch in industry.