SpinLaunch Appoints Satellite Industry Veteran Massimiliano Ladovaz as Chief Executive Officer

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 1, 2025--

SpinLaunch, a pioneer of disruptive space solutions, today announced the appointment of Massimiliano Ladovaz as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ladovaz will lead SpinLaunch through its next stage of growth, expanding and commercializing an integrated tech stack that includes kinetic launch systems as well as global connectivity solutions powered by its Meridian Space technology portfolio.

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Ladovaz is a globally recognized executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning the satellite, aerospace, and telecommunications industries. With a proven track record of delivering transformational programs and pioneering innovations in space infrastructure, he has held senior executive and board roles across some of the industry’s most influential organizations.

As Chief Technology Officer of OneWeb and later Chief Operating Officer of the Eutelsat/OneWeb Group, he led the deployment of the world’s second-largest LEO satellite constellation and played a central role in establishing the Airbus-OneWeb joint venture, the industry’s first high-volume smallsat production facility. During his career, Ladovaz has played a pivotal role in raising more than $4 billion in equity and debt financing and has secured strategic partnerships with leading aerospace and telecom companies, including Hughes, Airbus, SpaceX, and Viasat.

“SpinLaunch has built a fundamentally differentiated technology stack and assembled a highly capable team with a clear mission," said Massimiliano Ladovaz, CEO of SpinLaunch. “After deeply engaging with the technology and strategy, I’m convinced that this is the most compelling initiative in the industry today. I'm honored to join at this critical inflection point and excited to lead the team as we scale globally and deliver breakthrough space solutions worldwide.”

Former CEO David Wrenn, who now assumes the role of Chief Innovation Officer, will remain a committed member of the executive team, supporting and advancing the company’s key strategic initiatives across technology, business, and regulatory development.

“SpinLaunch is entering a new era of execution, and Massi is exactly the right leader to carry our momentum forward,” said David Wrenn. “His unique blend of engineering expertise and commercial leadership allows us to accelerate technology development, as well as our operations and customer development. I’m excited to continue supporting him and the team as we push the boundaries of the industry."

About Massimiliano Ladovaz

Massimiliano Ladovaz is a veteran aerospace and satellite executive with over 25 years of global leadership across the space, telecom, and technology sectors. He has held senior roles including CTO, COO, and Board Director, driving some of the industry's most ambitious satellite programs. Most recently, he was CTO at SatOne, an emerging satellite connectivity provider in Australia. Prior to that, he served as COO of Eutelsat/OneWeb Group, where he led the global deployment and operations of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. From 2019 to 2023, Ladovaz was CTO of OneWeb, overseeing the design, launch, and manufacturing of over 650 satellites and was instrumental in the development and success of the Airbus-OneWeb joint venture for high-volume satellite production.

Known for combining technical depth with strategic execution, Ladovaz has played a pivotal role in securing over $4 billion in capital and building major partnerships with Airbus, SpaceX, Hughes, and Viasat. Earlier in his career, he led the $1.6 billion Global Xpress program at Inmarsat and contributed to key missions at the European Space Agency, including Mars Express and Huygens. He has managed global teams across Europe, North America, and Asia, and successfully steered operations through complex geopolitical environments. Ladovaz holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Università La Sapienza in Rome and has served on the board of OneWeb Satellites. He is a recipient of the ITP Award, SSPI UK Personality of the Year, and a member of France’s Académie de l’Air et de l’Espace.

About SpinLaunch

SpinLaunch is a space technology company revolutionizing how we access and operate in space. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company has demonstrated a fundamentally new approach to launch and satellite communications. In 2025, SpinLaunch introduced Meridian Space, a next-generation technology platform designed to dramatically lower the cost and complexity of deploying satellite infrastructure. SpinLaunch is building the foundational technologies for a new era of scalable, affordable space access and connectivity. Learn more at www.spinlaunch.com.

Massimiliano Ladovaz, CEO of SpinLaunch

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family.

Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.

Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme, overactive response to an infection, causing the immune system to damage its own tissues and organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Typically the immune system releases chemicals to fight off pathogens like bacteria, viruses or fungi, but with sepsis the response goes into overdrive. The results can cause widespread inflammation, form microscopic blood clots and make blood vessels leak.

Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race.

Busch, who was preparing to race Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatch: “I’ve got an individual that’s (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”

The caller said Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and told dispatch “he is awake,” according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

Busch won 234 races across NASCAR’s top three series, more than any driver in history.

All 39 drivers in the field for Sunday’s race will race with a black No. 8 decal on their car to honor Busch.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

An in memoriam photo of former driver Kyle Busch is displayed on the video board of the backstretch at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

FILE - Kyle Busch waits for the start of a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)