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 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.

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.

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. 

Listen to audio podcasts with key satellite industry executives including: Carl Novello, CTO-NXTCOMM; Alexander Mueller-Gastell, CEO-ND SatCom;  Vagan Shakhgildian, CEO-UHP Networks;   Alexander Mueller-Gastell, CEO-ND SatCom;  Vagan Shakhgildian, CEO-UHP Networks; David Gelerman, CEO, Spacebridge; Lou Dubin, SVP-Product Marketing, Comtech EF Data;  Bob Hansen, VP-Sales and Marketing, Terrasat; Steve Richeson, VP-Sales, Mission Microwave and Semir Hassanaly, Head of Cellular Backhaul and Trunking, ST Engineering iDirect.  Click here

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 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.

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.

The Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) today announced the third annual “20 Under 35” list of outstanding young space and satellite professionals age 35 and under. The honorees will be celebrated at SSPI’s virtual Future Leaders Celebration on October 6 during Satellite Innovation 2020 Virtual. The 2020 “20 Under 35” list is sponsored by Hogan Lovells, Isotropic Networks, Maxar Technologies and Momentus Inc.

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.