ASX-listed Kleos Space S.A (ASX: KSS) has added to its global engineering leadership team as it prepares for commercialisation, appointing experienced satellite software and systems engineer Vincent (Vinny) Furia as Technical Director.
Reporting to the CTO, Mr Furia will be responsible for effective and efficient development and deployment of Kleos’ space-based systems (progressing towards a constellation of satellite clusters), ground support, analytics and data delivery.
Mr Furia was previously Space Operations Director at nanosatellite operator Spire Global, where he was responsible for managing a constellation of more than 100 satellites and 30 ground stations. He brings more than eight years’ program and project management experience to Kleos and has 15 years’ expertise in software and systems engineering, including 11 years at global aerospace and defence technology innovator Harris Corporation.
Mr Furia’s appointment follows the establishment of Kleos’ Denver engineering office in January and builds on the recent preparation for commercialisation of its radio frequency geolocation intelligence data with additional US-based appointments of Chief Revenue Officer Eric von Eckartsberg, Product Manager Guillermo Gutierrez and Sales Executive Alex Johnson. Kleos has engineering offices in Denver CO, the UK and Luxembourg.
Kleos successfully launched its first satellite cluster, the Kleos Scouting Mission, in November 2020 and is on track to launch its Polar Vigilance Mission satellites mid-year aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. Kleos’ third satellite cluster, the Polar Patrol Mission, is scheduled to launch in December 2021.
Kleos CEO Andy Bowyer said, “Vinny is a fantastic addition to Kleos’ technical leadership team as we prepare for the development and launch of our second and third satellite clusters. His extensive experience managing geographically diverse teams, large satellite constellations, and increasing the functionality of satellite platforms will be instrumental as Kleos rapidly builds its constellation and commercialises its geolocation data. Increased satellite capability enables the creation of higher-value and longer-life datasets over key areas of interest.”
Mr Furia said, “I am thrilled to begin working alongside the excellent team at Kleos to develop a best-in-class product for geospatial intelligence data.”
Kleos’ satellites detect and geolocate radio frequency transmissions to enhance the detection of hidden activity, such as drug and people smuggling, piracy, pollution, and illegal actions.