Tony Gingiss, Terran Orbital COO. Photo: Business Wire

Terran Orbital has hired Tony Gingiss as the company’s new COO, snagging the executive after Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy. 

Gingiss has a long career in the space industry including more than two decades with Boeing Satellites Systems and Airbus OneWeb Satellites, which he led as CEO. Gingiss was COO of Virgin Orbit and had been with the company since 2021, until it recently shut down after bankruptcy proceedings. 

“We are thrilled Tony has chosen to become a Terran,” said Marc Bell, Terran Orbital co-founder, chairman, and CEO. “Tony will bring an innovative and experienced edge to Terran Orbital as we expand our facilities and build out our contracts. We look forward to working with Tony and growing with his guidance.”

Terran Orbital is in the midst of building a 60,000 square foot facility in Irvine, California set to open later this year that will have the capacity to build 20 satellites per month. The company is also developing a separate 90,000 square foot facility in Irvine set to open in late 2024. 

Terran Orbital saw record revenue of $28 million in the first quarter of 2023 and announced a new 16-satellite deal, but the company is burning through cash quickly.