Exolaunch has announced a leadership change. Robert W. Sproles, PhD, previously the company’s Chief Technology Officer, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer. He takes over from Dmitriy Sternharz, the founder of Exolaunch, who has led the company since its inception nearly a decade ago when it was spun off from his work at the Technical University of Berlin. Sternharz will now serve as the company’s president, focusing on long-term vision, product development, and Exolaunch’s involvement in German national space programmes.
“I founded Exolaunch driven by a passion for innovation and advancing technology to enable space access in the emerging and promising New Space industry. Over the years, we have built a world-class team and robust foundation to address the complex challenges of space access and satellite deployment,” said Dmitriy. “As we enter this next phase of growth, it is crucial to bring in a leader with the corporate experience to scale our business processes. I am excited to support Exolaunch’s future by welcoming Robert Sproles as our CEO. While I continue on as the company’s president, allowing me to focus on long-term vision, new technologies and digital transformation, Robert will provide substantial support to our team in executing our launch strategy and facilitating the company’s scaling, positioning Exolaunch for expanded growth and new market opportunities.”
Robert Sproles brings over 20 years of industry experience and is recognised for his technical expertise and people-focused leadership. Since joining Exolaunch, he has played a key role in scaling the company’s processes and services. Prior to this, Sproles spent nearly a decade at Spire Global, where he helped establish a global ground station network, managed early satellite builds, and led satellite operations. As Vice President of Constellation Planning and Operations at Spire Global, he oversaw the successful launch of over 150 satellites and managed the world’s largest multipurpose Earth Observation satellite constellation. Sproles holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Ouachita Baptist University and a doctorate in applied physics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, specializing in rocket engine health and performance.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust and support from Dmitriy and the entire Exolaunch team. My career has been dedicated to advancing technology and ensuring that innovative solutions are developed by high-performance teams to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Exolaunch has consistently demonstrated excellence in launching and managing satellite missions, and I am energized to continue this legacy and lead us into the future as I step into the role of CEO during this pivotal time,” added Robert. “My focus as CEO will be to leverage our strong technical and customer-first foundation and industry expertise to drive scalable growth and expand our market presence. With a decade of successful missions, Exolaunch is well-positioned for growth, and I look forward to leading our talented team in advancing our mission to provide exceptional access to space to our global customers.”
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