WASHINGTON — Ursa Major, a rocket propulsion company, announced Aug. 1 that Dan Jablonsky, former chief executive of Maxar Technologies, has been appointed as its new CEO effective Aug. 5.
Jablonsky succeeds Ursa Major co-founder Joe Laurienti, who has led the company since its inception nine years ago. Ursa Major specializes in developing and manufacturing rocket engines for space launch, hypersonic, and solid rocket motor applications.
The leadership change comes as Ursa Major seeks to expand its reach in the space and defense sectors. The company completed a successful flight of its Hadley small rocket engine in March and announced plans for a new research and development facility in Youngstown, Ohio.
“To continue advancing Ursa Major’s work in space, hypersonics, and solid rocket motors, now is the right time for the company to bring in a new leader with the expertise and track record to successfully guide the company into further reaches of scale and impact,” Laurienti said in a statement.
Jablonsky brings significant industry experience to the role, having previously led the space technology firm Maxar Technologies through its take-private acquisition by Advent International.
“I have followed Ursa Major’s many successes over the past nine years and am confident in the impact that its advanced technology and manufacturing approaches will have on the space and defense communities for years to come,” said Jablonsky. “I look forward to enhancing America’s national security and expanding U.S. critical space and defense infrastructure capabilities.”
Laurienti revealed that he had initially planned to bring Jablonsky on as an advisor before deciding he would be a better fit for the CEO position.
Ursa Major is headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado. With private and government funding the company developed the Hadley engine, which produces 5,000 pounds of thrust, and the Ripley engine, designed for medium-launch markets with 50,000 pounds of thrust. It’s also working on the Arroway engine, with 200,000 pounds of thrust, and the Draper engine, aimed at hypersonic and defense applications.
