German startup Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has announced a change in CEO leadership. The company is preparing for its first orbital launch later this year and is counting on the new executive’s years of experience in aerospace and engineering. The move signals RFA’s intention to tighten technical and operational execution in the face of intensifying competition in the European small satellite launch sector.
Change of RFA CEO: A quiet replacement before a crucial launch
The press release announcing the new CEO’s appointment appeared on the company’s website on 11 April. This event took place relatively quietly and without much publicity.
According to information in the RFA statement, Dr. Stefan Tweraser, who had been CEO since October 2021, was replaced by Dr Indulis Kalnins.
The company does not give any reasons for this replacement. However, the press release states that the decision was made by RFA’s Supervisory Board, which most likely wants someone with practical experience in the aerospace industry to lead the company at this stage of development.
Tweraser had a non-aerospace background when he joined RFA in 2021. In the past, he has held executive positions at Google, Deezer, and McKinsey & Company, and his outside perspective was initially seen as an asset in helping RFA scale its operations and business model.
What is known about the new RFA’s CEO
Prof. Dr. Kalnins works at the aerospace department of Hochschule Bremen University in Germany. He previously was the managing director of OHB Cosmos, OHB SE, the launch services division of OHB SE, which owns a controlling stake in RFA.
“I have known RFA since its inception almost seven years ago and have always followed its development with great interest. I have been working with RFA for some time now, so I know that I have an excellent, motivated and technically excellent team committed to proceeding with a successful launch as quickly as possible,” said Indulis Kalniņš.
According to the RFA Supervisory Board, Kalniņs’s wide range of knowledge, professional experience in the space industry, and extensive connections make him an ideal candidate.
„We must focus all our energy on the technology and the first launch, “adds Marco Fuchs, board chairman at OHB. „I am very pleased that we have been able to appoint a recognised expert for RFA in Kalnins. I have known Dr. Kalnins for almost 30 years and therefore know about his exceptional expertise “, continues Fuchs.
Will there be other RFA staffing changes?
At the same time, other Board members, Dr. Stefan Brieschenk (Chief Operating Officer) and Jörn Spurmann (Chief Commercial Officer), have only recently extended their appointments to the executive board and will remain in their current positions on RFA’s executive board.
Also joining the company with the new CEO is an experienced space engineer who will “pave the way for the first launch of RFA ONE.” Management has tasked him with strengthening the RFA team with engineering competencies and entirely focusing on the rocket’s first test flight to make this launch successful.
RFA is preparing for an orbital vertical launch from the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland. In January, the company received its spaceflight operator license from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Combined with the spaceport and range control licenses from SaxaVord Spaceport, RFA now has all three critical regulatory approvals required for a test flight in 2025.
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