Launcher has announced that commercial space executive David Caponio has joined the company’s leadership team as the Head of Product and Business Development.
David brings two decades of both customer and provider experience in the commercial space launch sector, including at SpaceX, Virgin Orbit, and Tyvak and in the U.S. Government, as a military officer supporting launch and space development programs at the U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Air Force.
David’s announcement highlights the continuous strengthening of Launcher’s leadership team and follows Launcher’s finalization of $11.7 million in Series A funding last June. Launcher is unique in the smallsat launch services market for its high-performance, 3D printed, copper alloy staged, combustion liquid rocket engines. The company is on track to reach orbit in 2024 at the lowest total investment in history.
David has provided decades of service to the U.S. Government as an active and reserve military officer, as well as a government consultant for launch and small satellite development to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. He obtained his MS in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“We are very excited to welcome David to the Launcher team. David’s experience as both a customer and provider of satellite launch services positions Launcher to better serve our customers and guide product development that is best in the industry,” said Max Haot, CEO of Launcher.
“I’m thrilled to join Launcher. Launcher’s high-performance design enables our launch services to be competitively priced and profitable — serving the needs of the exponentially growing small satellite market,” said David Caponio.