AMR Software
AMR Data Centers

Ursa Major Appoints Former Maxar CEO as New Chief Executive

Share this Article

In a significant move aimed at bolstering its rocket manufacturing capabilities, Ursa Major Technologies has announced Dan Jablonsky, the former CEO of Maxar Technologies, as its new chief executive. The change comes as the Colorado-based defense and space startup prepares to scale its operations from prototyping to full-scale production. Jablonsky officially assumes his new role today, August 5.

Founded in 2015, Ursa Major has made substantial strides in the aerospace sector, securing hundreds of millions in venture capital alongside significant contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. These contracts support the development of cutting-edge technologies, including 3D-printed solid rocket motors and hypersonic propulsion systems, said to be crucial to modern defense applications.

Additively manufactured small motor cases and components for tactical missile applications.

Joe Laurienti, the founder and outgoing CEO of Ursa Major, emphasized that the company’s next phase requires a deepened level of experience, a criterion Jablonsky fulfills due to his extensive background in aerospace and defense sectors. At Maxar, Jablonsky was instrumental in delivering innovative solutions and building scalable operations—capabilities that Ursa Major considers essential as it aims to enhance its production capacities and market presence.

During his tenure at Maxar, Jablonsky steered the company through significant transformations, including the acquisition of DigitalGlobe and a subsequent reorganization under private equity firm Advent International. His leadership saw the development of trusted, large-scale solutions for aerospace clients, setting a precedent for his upcoming role at Ursa Major.

Hot fire testing Ursa Major engine.

In 2022, Ursa Major ran 29,606 seconds of hotfire tests. Image courtesy of Ursa Major.

This leadership transition aligns with Ursa Major’s strategic objectives to not only expand its technological frontiers but also to explore international markets amidst fluctuating U.S. defense budgets. Both Laurienti and Jablonsky acknowledge the robust opportunities that lie in the defense startup ecosystem and the international arena, potentially mitigating the impacts of domestic budget cycles.

In parallel with the executive shift, Ursa Major is advancing its operational footprint in the additive manufacturing (AM). In partnership with JobsOhio, the company recently committed to establishing a $14.5 million AM research and development center in Boardman, Ohio. This initiative, bolstered by a $4 million grant from JobsOhio, aims to deepen research into AM processes and materials, crucial for next-generation rocket engines and defense applications.

Ursa Major’s strategic direction and its embrace of advanced manufacturing techniques for rocket production underscore a broader trend in the aerospace and defense industries toward integrating more agile and innovative startups into traditional supply chains. This will not only be necessary for the fast-evolving area of military technology, but also reshoring and supply chain resilience as a whole.



Share this Article


Recent News

3D Printing News Briefs, May 21, 2025: Medical Training Models, Connectors, Makerspace, & More

Something from Nothing: How 3D Printing is Helping Australia Become a Global Force in Manufacturing



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

MX3D Receives €7 Million in Series A Funding for WAAM Services

Dutch large-format wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) firm MX3D has gotten a €7 million ($7.8M) investment in its Series A round. The round is led by EDF Pulse Ventures, with...

Vienna Team Works to End Trial-and-Error in Hybrid 3D Printing Workflows

A new research project shows how 3D printing and machining can finally work in sync. Led by researchers at the Vienna University of Technology in Austria (TU Wien), the project...

DEEP Manufacturing Introduces Six-Armed Robotic HexBot System for Ultra Large-Scale WAAM

UK-based DEEP Manufacturing Limited, which specializes in precision manufacturing solutions like subsea equipment, has unveiled a new robotic AM system that could help overcome some of the most constant and...

Betting on Localization: MRCA’s Jason Azevedo Explains Why He Invests in the Future of US Manufacturing

Currently, the general outlook for the manufacturing sector seems to be subject to so many proliferating, often mutually contradictory factors that it can feel hopeless to even attempt to assess...