SpinLaunch Appoints Former Kymeta CEO Walter Berger to Advisory Board to support growth of Meridian LEO constellation. Provided by Business Wire Feb 3, 2026, 6:00:00 AM Satcom industry veteran, Walter Berger, to guide strategic initiatives and long-term growth as Meridian advances toward first satellite deployment SpinLaunch, a pioneer of disruptive space solutions, today announced the appointment of Walter Berger, a senior technology and communications executive with extensive board and operating experience, to its Advisory Board. Berger brings more than 40 years of global leadership across satellite communications, advanced networking, and enterprise technology platforms, with a strong track record of guiding emerging technologies from product validation through scaled market adoption. SpinLaunch Appoints Former Kymeta CEO Walter Berger to Advisory Board As President and Co-CEO of Kymeta Corporation, Berger led the launch of the first commercially successful metamaterial flat-panel satellite antenna and multiple first-to-market products. Under his leadership, Kymeta established itself as a leading provider of electronically steered satellite communications solutions adopted by the Department of Defense, as well as government, enterprise, and maritime customers worldwide. He has also held senior executive roles at AppDynamics (acquired by Cisco), SoftLayer (acquired by IBM), and Leap Wireless (acquired by AT&T), including its subsidiary Cricket Wireless. "Walter has operated at the intersection of technology, capital, and market execution for decades," said Massi Ladovaz, CEO of SpinLaunch. "As we continue to scale Meridian, his experience commercializing advanced satellite technologies and guiding strategic growth initiatives will reinforce our execution as we build momentum with customers and partners." In addition to his prior operating roles, Berger currently serves as Executive Chairman of AURA Network Systems, a provider of advanced aviation command-and-control communications, and as an advisory board member of Harmoni Towers, an owner and operator of mission-critical communications infrastructure. "What drew me to SpinLaunch is the opportunity to build a truly differentiated LEO satellite system with sovereign relevance and compelling economics - a unique combination in today's market," said Berger. "The pace and rigor with which the team has advanced Meridian speaks volumes about their technical discipline and execution focus, and I'm excited to work with Massi and the team as they move toward initial customer deployments." SpinLaunch has recently completed critical antenna and payload testing milestones for the Meridian constellation and is now preparing for its First Customer Link, scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX Transporter-18 in October 2026. The mission will validate end-to-end system performance ahead of initial customer deployments and broader service rollout. Berger's appointment builds on SpinLaunch's recent expansion of its Advisory Board, including the addition of aerospace pioneer and investor Dómhnal Slattery and satellite communications and defense veteran Peter Hadinger. Together, these appointments reflect SpinLaunch's continued focus on assembling deep expertise across aerospace finance, secure satellite systems, and national-level communications as the company scales the Meridian constellation. About SpinLaunch SpinLaunch is a space technology company revolutionizing how we access and operate in space. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company has demonstrated a fundamentally new approach to launch and satellite communications. In 2025, SpinLaunch introduced Meridian Space, a next-generation technology platform designed to dramatically lower the cost and complexity of deploying satellite infrastructure. SpinLaunch is building the foundational technologies for a new era of scalable, affordable space access and connectivity. Learn more at www.spinlaunch.com. The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar. Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. 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SpinLaunch appoints aerospace pioneer Dómhnal Slattery and defense & satcom veteran Peter Hadinger to Advisory Board. Appointments strengthen SpinLaunch's leadership in defense and sovereign partnerships as the Meridian constellation transitions from development to operational deployment. SpinLaunch announces the appointment of Dómhnal Slattery to its Advisory Board. LONG BEACH, Calif.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-SpinLaunch, a pioneer of disruptive space solutions, today announced the appointment of aerospace pioneer and investor Dómhnal Slattery and Peter Hadinger, who previously served as Chief Technology Officer and as President, US Government at Inmarsat, to the SpinLaunch Advisory Board. The appointments mark an important milestone in the company's mission to scale the Meridian constellation - a highly differentiated, low-CAPEX LEO broadband system purpose-built to support defense, government, and sovereign communications. Slattery and Hadinger bring a proven track record across aerospace finance, secure satellite platforms, and national-level communications networks, reinforcing SpinLaunch's growing role as a trusted partner in resilient, interoperable global satcom infrastructure. "Dómhnal and Peter each bring a remarkable combination of expertise and perspective that will be invaluable as we expand Meridian's reach across commercial and sovereign markets," said Massimiliano Ladovaz, CEO of SpinLaunch. "Their experience across aerospace and defense systems, corporate finance, capital raising, and large-scale commercialization will help position Meridian as a cornerstone for secure global connectivity." Dómhnal Slattery is widely recognized as one of the world's leading aviation-finance pioneers. As founding CEO of Avolon, he built one of the largest aircraft leasing companies globally with a balance sheet approaching $30 billion. Slattery currently serves as CEO and Chairman of Clahane Capital, as well as Chairman of Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a company electrifying air travel through zero-emissions aircraft. Over the past three decades, the businesses Slattery has built have raised and deployed more than $75 billion to finance aircraft for airlines and aircraft investors around the world. Slattery previously served as Chairman of the SpinLaunch Board of Directors, providing early strategic guidance as the company expanded into satellite communications systems. "I've had the privilege of seeing the vision for Meridian from its earliest stages," said Slattery. "What the team has achieved in such a short time - technically, commercially, and strategically - is a testament to their discipline and credibility. I'm delighted to continue supporting SpinLaunch as it turns that vision into reality." Peter Hadinger brings more than four decades of technical and executive leadership in satellite communications, defense systems, and advanced space technologies. At Inmarsat, he served as President, US Government and later as corporate CTO, overseeing the company's global satellite and ground-network development. Earlier in his career, he spent three decades at TRW/Northrop Grumman developing major spacecraft and secure-communications programs. Hadinger has also held key industry leadership roles, helping craft the global Telecom Services Agreement at the WTO and serving as Vice-Chair of both the FCC's WRC Advisory Committee and the Satellite Task Force for the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. "SpinLaunch represents the kind of innovation that can redefine how resilient and sovereign space infrastructure is built," said Hadinger. "As defense and government users increasingly depend on assured, adaptable connectivity, the Meridian constellation offers a capable and cost-effective foundation for secure global communications." Following recent funding and reflectarray antenna validation milestones, SpinLaunch continues to expand its partnerships and capabilities to meet growing global demand for sovereign and defense-grade satellite communications infrastructure. About SpinLaunch SpinLaunch is a space technology company revolutionizing how we access and operate in space. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company has demonstrated a fundamentally new approach to launch and satellite communications. In 2025, SpinLaunch introduced Meridian Space, a next-generation technology platform designed to dramatically lower the cost and complexity of deploying satellite infrastructure. SpinLaunch is building the foundational technologies for a new era of scalable, affordable space access and connectivity. Learn more at www.spinlaunch.com.

SpinLaunch announced it has secured $30 million in funding to advance the development of its Meridian Space LEO satellite broadband constellation. The funding includes investments from ATW Partners and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The company aims to achieve its first customer link by the second half of 2026. SpinLaunch has completed full-scale testing of its reconfigurable reflectarray antenna, a key component for the constellation's cost-efficient design.