Dan Jablonsky, the former CEO of Maxar Technologies, will assume the role of chief executive at Ursa Major Technologies on Monday, as the Colorado-based defense and space startup aims to scale its rocket manufacturing operations.
Founded in 2015, Ursa Major has successfully raised hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital and secured contracts with the Defense Department to prototype essential technologies, including 3D-printed solid rocket motors and hypersonic propulsion systems. However, as the company transitions to full-scale production, its founder and current CEO Joe Laurienti believes a leadership change is necessary.
“This next phase of business will require a level of experience that Dan can provide,” Laurienti said in an exclusive interview with Breaking Defense. “It’s a great opportunity with excellent timing and circumstances.”
During his time at Maxar, Jablonsky built a reputation for delivering innovative solutions to customers, emphasizing not just the launch of new products but also cultivating trust and scalability—attributes that will be critical for Ursa Major’s growth, Laurienti noted.
Jablonsky shared his ambitions for Ursa Major, stating he aims to position the company “as one of America’s great companies.” He added, “There’s a strong momentum behind the company to propel it into its next growth phase.”
Significant growth opportunities appear to be on the horizon. Ursa Major recently secured its third-largest contract, although Laurienti preferred not to disclose further details. Both executives highlighted the burgeoning demand for solid rocket motors—a demand that cannot be met by the current two suppliers—as well as the growing interest in Ursa Major’s Hadley rocket engine. Additionally, they see substantial potential in the international market, believing that continued support from the Pentagon for defense startups, coupled with capability gaps in rocket motor production, will encourage ongoing investment.
“This creates significant growth, opportunity, and resilience for the business, even amid fluctuations in U.S. government defense budgets,” Jablonsky stated.
Jablonsky became president and CEO of Maxar Technologies in 2019 following its acquisition of DigitalGlobe, where he had served as president since 2017. Previously, he managed the international defense and intelligence unit and acted as the company’s general counsel during his five-year tenure at DigitalGlobe. Last year, he left Maxar after the company was acquired by private equity firm Advent International and restructured into Maxar Intelligence and Maxar Space Systems.
Although Jablonsky and Laurienti have kept their respective companies in close orbit over the years, discussions about a potential advisory role for Jablonsky began approximately nine months ago. After Jablonsky toured Ursa Major’s production facilities earlier this year, those conversations progressed into talks about a leadership transition.
Laurienti plans to remain in a short-term advisory role to facilitate the handover of responsibilities and maintain relationships with key stakeholders during this transition period.
At a time when concerns over the U.S. rocket engine industrial base have intensified—first due to a 2014 law restricting the use of Russian rocket engines in defense applications and later due to the surge in investment in hypersonic weapons and increased demand for munitions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine—Ursa Major has positioned itself to address these challenges. Last year, the Air Force Research Laboratory awarded the company a contract for developing its liquid-propelled Draper engine, which produces 4,000 pounds of thrust and can be utilized in hypersonic applications. Additionally, Ursa Major is advancing the 200,000-pound thrust Arroway engine for space launches and is currently working with the Navy to develop and test a prototype solid rocket motor for its Standard Missile arsenal.
