Edinburgh-headquartered rocket company Skyrora has appointed a new chief operations officer.
Lee Rosen, a retired US Air Force colonel, was also ex-vice president of mission and launch operations and customer operations and integration at SpaceX.
Having been part of more than 150 missions for Elon Musk's rocket company, he brings his extensive operational expertise, as Skyrora aims to be the first UK business to launch from British soil.
This will be vital, given its aim to conduct 16 launches per year from the Saxavord launch complex in the Shetland Islands alone by 2030.
Over the course of his career, Rosen has built experience as an engineer, space operator, and acquisition professional. He spent 23 years in the US Air Force with command tours at both launch bases, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral, prior to joining SpaceX.
Rosen said: “Currently, the UK is completely reliant on the US and, although this is a crucial relationship, Skyrora is building towards a future when space capabilities in this country will allow for regular sovereign launches.
“Space capability is now critical to providing an edge when it comes to defence - Skyrora’s mobile, agile and responsive launch and on-orbit capability can provide the UK with something it has been missing and bolster its special relationship with the US.”
Founder and chief executive Volodymyr Levykin said: “Developing sovereign, mobile and sustainably focused launch services is of the utmost importance for the UK’s ability to follow through on its commitments to address climate change, provide cutting edge defence capabilities, and fulfil its potential in the emerging global space economy.
“Having completed some 200 launches over the course of his career, we’re delighted that Lee has joined Skyrora and offering his unparalleled leadership and expertise to the team as we continue to hit crucial milestones in our push towards a maiden launch from UK soil.”
Skyrora recently completed a successful test of its 70kN rocket engine, another milestone in its contract under the European Space Agency’s Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme.
A new rocket engine testing facility was also opened in Midlothian in March, adding to Skyrora’s portfolio of development, manufacturing and testing facilities across Scotland.
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