Aerospace Leaders Join Momentus Team

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Momentus Inc., a U.S. commercial space company that plans to offer transportation and other in-space infrastructure services, announced that Charles Chase, Nick Zello, and Gary Bartmann have joined the company as Vice President of Engineering, Vice President of Operations, and Vice President of Supply Chain, respectively.

Chase, Zello, and Bartmann bring deep aerospace experience focusing on innovation, technology development, manufacturing, organization building, profitability, and strategy development and execution.

"Success in space starts with our team on the ground, and Charles, Nick and Gary are model leaders who regularly demonstrate it's not just the work you achieve, but how you achieve it," said Momentus Chief Executive Officer John Rood. "Their backgrounds and experience are inimitable, and they bring an unrelenting focus on innovation, problem solving, and crisp execution to their roles. As Momentus gears up for its first flight and looks to transition from development to production, we will have top-tier talent leading the charge into the future."

Chase was the founder and leader of Revolutionary Technology Programs, the organization at the technological front end of the storied Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. He led the conception, development, and market transition of transformative aerospace technologies in that position. Notably, Chase is an expert in plasma systems and led the development of aerodynamic materials, fluid dynamic control systems, novel control effectors, and cutting-edge vehicle designs. Plasma systems technology is at the heart of the Microwave Electrothermal Thruster using water as a propellant that Momentus is developing.

Zello has product development and manufacturing expertise that spans the automotive, aerospace, internet/I.T., and construction industries. Zello previously worked at Maxar Technologies, where he served as Vice President of Smallsat Operations and Delivery, Vice President of Production Control and Supply Chain, and Executive Director of New Product Development at their Space Infrastructure division. He also was General Manager at MDA US Systems LLC, a developer and supplier of commercial and civil robotics, and held leadership roles at General Motors. 

Bartmann brings deep expertise in supply chain management from his executive experience at United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Lockheed Martin. As Director and Vice President of Supply Chain at ULA and Lockheed Martin Space/Headquarters, he led teams responsible for strategy development, execution, and supply chain solutions that delivered bottom-line savings and process improvements. His experience in supply chain management, execution, and strategy development are highly valued skills at a time of global supply challenges.