Khrunichev Space Center Announces Changes in ILS management

 Khrunichev Space Center, Russia, October 10, 2019-Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the majority shareholder of ILS International Launch Services, (ILS) announced the departure of Kirk Pysher as ILS President. John Palme, ILS Chief Operations Officer, will serve as interim President until a successor is appointed.

Mr. Alexey Varochko, KhSC Director General, expressed his thanks to Mr. Pysher for his work on offering Proton M launch services on the global market.

“We appreciate Kirk’s leadership over the past four years and his firm support of our quality initiatives. This quality focus has paid large dividends as Proton currently has 18 consecutive successful launches over the past three years. We wish Kirk all the best in his future endeavors,” said Mr. Varochko.

In a separate action, the ILS Board of Directors announced that it has engaged outside counsel, Thomas P. Tshudy, former Senior Vice President and General Counsel for ILS, to serve as special counsel to advise the company on a variety of legal matters to assure legal and regulatory compliance as the company makes organizational changes and transitions to providing broadened customer offerings.

Mr. Varochko further stated, “With the ILS reorganization we are on the verge of a new era for Russian commercial space.

ILS will be also working with GK Launch Services to leverage the capability of two very successful launch vehicles: Proton and Soyuz to provide customers broad offerings and mutual back-up.

Proton launch vehicles will be produced and available to ILS to meet the needs of every customer ordered Proton M launch service,” concluded Mr. Varochko.