Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has appointed Alexander Dahm as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, succeeding Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins. The Supervisory Board announced the change, stating that Dahm will be responsible for 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.
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 career also includes senior roles at Airbus Defence & Space, Airbus Operations, and previously Astrium and DASA, as well as involvement in the Ariane 5 program.
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 professional achievements include building and scaling complex industrial and defense programs, developing industrial production capacities, and leading large international organizations with several thousand employees. He also has extensive expertise in industrialization, ramp-up management, operational excellence, and space systems.
"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," said Dahm.
With Dahm's appointment, Rocket Factory Augsburg strengthens its industrial and operational expertise in order to successfully carry out the company's next phases of growth and development. Founded in 2018, RFA aims to enable data-generating business models in space to better monitor, protect, and connect Earth. Its RFA ONE launch service offers flexible, customer-centric, and European launch services to low Earth orbit. The service combines three key competitive advantages: a customer-focused service with precise in-orbit delivery and high mission flexibility through its third stage "Redshift"; a highly competitive price made possible by the superior staged-combustion engine "Helix"; and low-cost stainless-steel structures and usage of industrial components.
This leadership change signals RFA's commitment to executing its ambitious plans in the competitive small launch market. Dahm's experience in scaling complex programs and managing industrial production will be crucial as the company transitions from development to operational launches. For the European space industry, RFA's progress represents a step toward independent access to space and could bolster the continent's position in the global launch market. The appointment was announced via NEWMEDIAWIRE, and the original release can be viewed at www.newmediawire.com.
