Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has appointed Alexander Dahm as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins. The Supervisory Board announced the change, positioning Dahm to steer the company's continued development and its path to the maiden flight of the RFA ONE launch vehicle. Dr. Kalnins will remain associated with the company and contribute his expertise, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
Dahm brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the aerospace and defense industry. A graduate in aerospace engineering, he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of HENSOLDT Sensors and was a member of the Group Executive Committee, where he oversaw the entire operational value chain, including production, procurement, quality, and logistics. His prior roles at Airbus Defence & Space, Airbus Operations, Astrium, and DASA, as well as his work on the Ariane 5 program, have equipped him with deep expertise in industrialization, ramp-up management, operational excellence, and space systems.
Jean-Jacques Dordain, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RFA, said, "I am delighted to welcome Alexander Dahm on board as the new CEO of Rocket Factory Augsburg. In him, we gain not only a proven space and industry expert, but also a leader who successfully brings complex programs to execution and can guide organizations through decisive growth phases. His experience from the Ariane 5 program, from senior roles at Airbus, and most recently at HENSOLDT will be of great value for the further development of RFA."
Dahm's track record includes building and scaling complex industrial and defense programs, developing industrial production capacities, and leading large international organizations with several thousand employees. His appointment signals RFA's intent to bolster its industrial and operational capabilities as it moves closer to launching its RFA ONE rocket, a flexible, customer-centric European launch service for low Earth orbit. The RFA ONE combines a customer-focused service with precise in-orbit delivery and high mission flexibility through its third stage "Redshift," at a highly competitive price, made possible by the superior staged-combustion engine "Helix," low-cost stainless-steel structures, and usage of industrial components.
Dahm expressed enthusiasm about joining the company: "I am very much looking forward to working with the RFA team. I am impressed by the grit, innovative strength, and passion with which a new generation of European launch vehicles is being developed here. Together, we will reach the next important milestones on the way to the maiden flight of RFA ONE and actively shape the company's future."
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for RFA, founded in 2018 with the vision to enable data-generating business models in space to better monitor, protect, and connect Earth. With Dahm at the helm, the company aims to accelerate its growth and successfully execute the next phases of development, reinforcing Europe's position in the commercial launch market. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com, and further updates are available through NEWMEDIAWIRE.
