LeoStella CEO Mike Hettich. Photo: The Business Journals/LeoStella

Mitt Hettich has been named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LeoStella, a joint venture created by Thales Alenia Space and Spaceflight Industries.  The company aims to help meet the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective small-satellite production.

Hettich brings more than 30 years of aerospace system design, development, and production experience to LeoStella. He will lead the company as it enters the next phase of growth, designing and manufacturing small satellites at scale at its production facility. The company’s first major undertaking is constructing 20 satellites for BlackSky’s Earth observation constellation.

“The smallsat industry is burgeoning and LeoStella is poised to service its growing demand for cost-effective and efficient design, test and production,” said outgoing CEOChris Chautard. “Mike is a seasoned executive that will shape the vision of LeoStella going forward and position the company as a leader in the industry. His unique experience and established record of success will be a valuable asset for LeoStella.”