WASHINGTON — Firefly Aerospace, a developer of launch vehicles, lunar landers and orbital vehicles, announced Aug. 29 the appointment of space industry veteran Jason Kim as its new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1.
The move comes just weeks after former CEO Bill Weber stepped down amid misconduct allegations.
Kim joins Firefly from Millennium Space, a Boeing subsidiary specializing in small satellites primarily for U.S. government agencies, where he served as CEO. He previously held executive positions at Raytheon Intelligence & Space, and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
The appointment follows a collaboration between Firefly and Millennium Space on the U.S. Space Force’s Victus Nox mission last year. The mission, which demonstrated rapid spacecraft delivery and launch capabilities, saw Millennium Space produce a satellite launched aboard a Firefly Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in September 2023.
Welcome back to Texas, Jason Kim! We’re honored to announce Jason as our new CEO, effective October 1. With more than two decades of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, Jason brings both executive leadership and a highly technical background to Firefly. After… pic.twitter.com/cJJEII7IqU
— Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) August 29, 2024
Kirk Konert, chairman of Firefly Aerospace’s board, expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating, “Jason Kim’s deep industry expertise, coupled with his proven ability to lead high-performing teams and execute on strategic growth initiatives, makes him the ideal leader for Firefly Aerospace.”
Kim will oversee Firefly’s workforce of more than 700 employees and lead various projects, including:
The Alpha small-satellite launcher
The recently delivered Blue Ghost lunar lander
The Elytra orbital vehicle for commercial and defense missions
Development of a medium launch vehicle in collaboration with Northrop Grumman for the national security marketCommenting on his appointment, Kim said, “I have long admired Firefly’s relentless drive and innovative spirit, particularly during our collaboration on the Victus Nox mission for the U.S. Space Force. I look forward to building on Firefly’s success and leading the company into a new era of category-defining achievements in the industry.”