Kistler Aerospace‘s board of directors boosted its efforts to raise the $500 million needed to complete the development of a reusable launch vehicle by naming two prominent industry executives to spearhead those activities.

Will Trafton, who earlier this week announced his departure as the top executive of launch services at The Boeing Co. [BA], agreed to become Kirkland, Wash.-based Kistler’s president and COO in a move that will let him team again with former Boeing Satellite Systems President Randy Brinkley, who was named Kistler’s CEO. They will report to Dr. George Mueller, Kistler’s 86-year-old chairman, who called Trafton and Brinkley “proven leaders” in the aerospace industry.

Kistler entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection July 15 to reorganize its finances. For a detailed account of Kistler’s launch-vehicle plans, see the Aug. 16 issue of Satellite News. For subscription information, visit https://www.satellitetoday.com.