Vasily Nikolaevich Sychyov has been appointed Executive General Director, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center – Russia’s main launch vehicle producer. He replaces Vladimir Nesterov whose resignation was formally accepted by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin earlier this month (some news reports say he was dismissed). Nesterov resigned after the latest upper stage launch failure to the Proton M launch vehicle in August.
Meantime, in a seperate development, the French satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space has a new leader. Jean-Loïc Galle succeefs Raynald Seznec as President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space. Seznec has been moved to Senior Vice President for Zone B in the Thales group.