Jason Kim joins Firefly Aerospace as CEO. Photo: LinkedIn

Firefly Aerospace has appointed Millennium Space Systems CEO Jason Kim as the launcher’s new CEO. The appointment is effective Oct. 1, 2024, and Kim will join Firefly at the company’s headquarters in Austin.

This news comes after Firefly’s previous CEO Bill Weber left the company in July amid reports of an inappropriate relationship with female employee.

Kim will lead Firefly’s team of more than 700 employees as they continue launches for the Alpha rocket, work to land the Blue Ghost lander on the Moon, and orbit the Elytra vehicle this year. Kim will also oversee the continued development of Firefly’s Medium Launch Vehicle and further scale production of Firefly’s rockets and spacecraft.

Kim became CEO of satellite manufacturer Millennium Space Systems in December 2020. He previously worked for Millennium as vice president of strategic planning from September 2009 to December 2019. Boeing acquired Millennium Space Systems in 2018.

Before returning to Millennium as CEO in 2020, Kim worked for Raytheon Intelligence & Space in leadership for a year. His career also includes leadership roles at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, and the U.S. Air Force.

Kim’s experience spans executive leadership, program management, and business development roles across a wide range of aerospace and defense systems, including small to large satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, rocket launch, vertical integration, manufacturing, assembly, and on-orbit mission operations.

“Jason Kim’s deep industry expertise, coupled with his proven ability to lead high-performing teams and execute on strategic growth initiatives, makes him the ideal leader for Firefly Aerospace,” said Kirk Konert, chairman of the board at Firefly Aerospace. “We are confident that under his leadership, Firefly will continue to achieve major milestones across our launch, lunar, and on-orbit programs.”

Millennium Space Systems and Firefly Aerospace closely collaborated on the VICTUS NOX responsive space mission for the U.S. Space Force in September 2023, in which Firefly launched a Millennium-built payload to space within a 24-hour time period.

“I have long admired Firefly’s relentless drive and innovative spirit, particularly during our collaboration on the VICTUS NOX mission for the U.S. Space Force,” Kim commented. “I am honored to join this unstoppable team and look forward to building on Firefly’s success and leading the company into a new era of category-defining achievements in the industry.”