Lockheed Martin reorganises space divisions

Lockheed Martin has reorganised its space assets and realigned its Commercial Space Systems within its Global Communications Business.
Joseph Rickers has taken over as President of Commercial Space Systems following the retirement of Marshall Byrd, who…

Lockheed Martin has reorganised its space assets and realigned its Commercial Space Systems within its Global Communications Business.

Joseph Rickers has taken over as President of Commercial Space Systems following the retirement of Marshall Byrd, who had been with Lockheed Martin for 31 years.

Rickers has a long history with the group, and served most recently as the director of program management for Space Systems Co, the umbrella structure to which Global Communications and Commercial Space Systems belong.

The realignment of Commercial Space Systems has been taken in order to achieve greater synergies and business opportunities with Global Communications.

While the two units have traditionally had clearly demarcated areas of operation in the commercial and defence sectors respectively, these lines have been blurred with the development of Global Communications’ role in pursuing the contract to build the Iridium NEXT constellation.

“I am excited to return to Commercial Space Systems where I had established many relationships with commercial customers worldwide,” said Rickers. “An excellent product in the A2100 spacecraft and an impressive record of mission success, we look forward to achieving additional efficiencies that benefit our commercial customers in the new Global Communications Systems organization.”