Exolaunch, provider in launch mission management, integration, and satellite deployment services, announced today that its Chief Technology Officer, Robert W. Sproles, PhD, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Robert succeeds Dmitriy Sternharz, the company’s founder, who has led Exolaunch since its inception nearly a decade ago as a spin-off from his work as an associate professor at the Technical University of Berlin. Going forward, Dmitriy will serve as president of the company, focusing on long-term vision, development of new products and services, and Exolaunch’s involvement in German national space programs.
“I founded Exolaunch driven by a passion for innovation and advancing technology to enable space access in the emerging and promising New Space industry. Over the years, we have built a world-class team and robust foundation to address the complex challenges of space access and satellite deployment,” said Dmitriy. “As we enter this next phase of growth, it is crucial to bring in a leader with the corporate experience to scale our business processes. I am excited to support Exolaunch’s future by welcoming Robert Sproles as our CEO. While I continue on as the company’s president, allowing me to focus on long-term vision, new technologies and digital transformation, Robert will provide substantial support to our team in executing our launch strategy and facilitating the company’s scaling, positioning Exolaunch for expanded growth and new market opportunities.”
With over 20 years of industry experience, Robert Sproles is a highly regarded executive known for his technical acumen and people-centric leadership. During his brief tenure at Exolaunch to date, he has been instrumental in scaling the company’s internal processes and services.
Prior to joining Exolaunch, Robert spent nearly a decade at Spire Global, where he was key in establishing a global ground station network, managing early satellite builds, and leading the satellite operations team. As Vice President of Constellation Planning and Operations, he oversaw the successful launch of over 150 satellites, the daily operation of more than 30 ground stations, and the management of the world’s largest multipurpose Earth Observation satellite constellation. Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Ouachita Baptist University and a doctorate in applied physics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, specializing in rocket engine health and performance.
“I am deeply honored by the trust and support from Dmitriy and the entire Exolaunch team. My career has been dedicated to advancing technology and ensuring that innovative solutions are developed by high-performance teams to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Exolaunch has consistently demonstrated excellence in launching and managing satellite missions, and I am energized to continue this legacy and lead us into the future as I step into the role of CEO during this pivotal time,” added Robert. “My focus as CEO will be to leverage our strong technical and customer-first foundation and industry expertise to drive scalable growth and expand our market presence. With a decade of successful missions, Exolaunch is well-positioned for growth, and I look forward to leading our talented team in advancing our mission to provide exceptional access to space to our global customers.”
With offices in Germany and the United States, Exolaunch has a global reach and is strategically positioned for sustained growth and success. The company has proven its capabilities by launching a diverse array of payloads for a wide range of customers, from pioneering start-ups to established industry leaders. With patented, proven, robust and user-friendly separation systems, the Exolaunch hardware provides innovation to a critical enabling requirement of satellite launch.
With a strong track record of securing significant new contracts, Exolaunch is expanding its market share and enhancing its service offerings. The company is already on track to set a new record for the number of satellites launched in 2024, further cementing its role as a leading provider of launch solutions and mission management.
Exolaunch (Germany, USA) provides mission integration and deployment technologies for small satellites. With a decade of flight heritage and nearly 400 satellites launched across 29 missions to date, Exolaunch leverages industry insight to tailor turnkey solutions that meet customer needs and respond to market trends. Exolaunch fulfills launch contracts for industry leaders, start-ups, research institutions, government organizations, and international space agencies. The company develops and manufactures its own flight-proven and industry-leading small satellite separation systems, with the fastest-growing heritage on the market. Exolaunch promotes safe, sustainable, and responsible use of space and is committed to making space accessible for all.
