Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has appointed Alexander Dahm as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins, as the German launch startup prepares for the maiden flight of its RFA ONE rocket. The Supervisory Board announced the leadership change on October 5, 2026, emphasizing Dahm's extensive aerospace and defense background as critical to RFA's next phase of growth and development.
Dahm joins RFA after more than 30 years in the aerospace and defense industry, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer of HENSOLDT Sensors and as a member of the Group Executive Committee, where he oversaw production, procurement, quality, and logistics. A graduate in aerospace engineering, he has held senior roles at Airbus Defence & Space, Airbus Operations, Astrium, and DASA, and contributed to the Ariane 5 program. His experience includes scaling complex industrial and defense programs, developing production capacities, and leading international organizations with several thousand employees.
Jean-Jacques Dordain, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RFA, said, "I am delighted to welcome Alexander Dahm on board as the new CEO of Rocket Factory Augsburg. In him, we gain not only a proven space and industry expert, but also a leader who successfully brings complex programs to execution and can guide organizations through decisive growth phases. His experience from the Ariane 5 program, from senior roles at Airbus, and most recently at HENSOLDT will be of great value for the further development of RFA."
The appointment underscores RFA's focus on industrial and operational expertise as it moves toward the first launch of RFA ONE, a vehicle designed to offer flexible, customer-centric European launch services to low Earth orbit. RFA ONE combines a customer-focused service with precise in-orbit delivery, high mission flexibility through its third stage "Redshift," and competitive pricing enabled by the staged-combustion engine "Helix," low-cost stainless-steel structures, and industrial components. Dahm's expertise in industrialization, ramp-up management, and operational excellence is expected to be instrumental in navigating the complex path to maiden flight and commercial operations.
Dahm commented, "I am very much looking forward to working with the RFA team. I am impressed by the grit, innovative strength, and passion with which a new generation of European launch vehicles is being developed here. Together, we will reach the next important milestones on the way to the maiden flight of RFA ONE and actively shape the company's future."
Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins will remain associated with the company and contribute his expertise, ensuring continuity as RFA advances. The transition comes at a pivotal moment for Europe's launch sector, where RFA aims to capture a share of the small and medium launch market amid growing demand for sovereign access to space. Dahm's track record in defense and aerospace industrialization could accelerate RFA's transition from development to serial production and reliable launch operations.
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