August 20, 2013 – International Launch Services (ILS) has appointed Kirk Pysher as vice president of mission assurance and product development. Pysher will bolster ILS’ focus on performance with responsibility for the overall quality review and monitoring of the Proton Quality Management System (QMS), oversight of Proton production processes and procedures, and regular reporting to industry customers and insurers on quality improvements performed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev). Pysher will report directly to the ILS President, Phil Slack.

Pysher will also be responsible for overseeing ILS product development activities at Khrunichev, ILS’ majority owner and manufacturer of the Proton launch vehicle, to include performance upgrades and new capabilities that align with customers’ future requirements.

Pysher brings to ILS over 20 years of experience serving the commercial launch industry, most recently as chief operating officer at Energia Logistics US, where he was responsible for all aspects of engineering and operations for the Sea Launch program. Prior to that post, he was the vice president and chief systems engineer for Boeing-Sea Launch.  

Pysher received a Masters and Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Penn State University and obtained a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate from Purdue University.

“Kirk is an excellent addition to our team and is a well-respected leader in the commercial launch services market. His extensive experience in launch services and international partnerships will serve our customers and the insurance community very well,” said ILS President, Phil Slack.