Today reflects a significant landmark in our journey. We are pleased to announce that Bastien Baticle, our Head of Electronics & Software Systems and Deputy CTO, has been promoted to Chief Technical Officer, succeeding Oliver Lebrethon. This transition marks the conclusion of Zephyr's development phase and the official beginning of manufacturing, testing and operation for the 200kg-class French launcher.
Olivier Lebrethon has been a key component of Latitude from the start. He provided leadership and decades of experience during Zephyr's development period. His efforts have provided a solid basis for Zephyr's project. Thanks to his commitment, Latitude was able to fully develop and test a rocket engine in less than three years and thoroughly design Zephyr via iteration. We admire Olivier's work and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Bastien Baticle brings extensive experience and skills to his new role as CTO. Bastien, who has over a decade of expertise in aerospace engineering and operations with a track record of directing difficult projects in Arianespace and ArianeGroup, is particularly qualified to advance Latitude's technical vision. His expertise in establishing innovative electronic and software systems has been critical to our growth, and after four years with the company, his leadership and proximity with all employees will be critical as we move forward.
Additionally, diverse top-tier experts from key European and American aerospace companies were recruited to establish an internal full-time expert committee. It supports Latitude's and technical management’s ambitions. This internal committee will offer expertise in critical technological topics.
Looking Ahead: Future Milestones
New era means new milestones. Under Bastien's guidance, we are excited to continue our ambitious roadmap. Key milestones include:
- Testing Phase: Bastien with specifically oversee the critical path until Zephyr’s maiden flight: turbopump test campaign (S2 24), Navier engine test campaign (end 24), combined tests (mid-2025)
- Zephyr ramp-up: To provide the most optimal access to space for smallsats, Zephyr must be launched 50 times a year. This will be the main challenge for Latitude in the upcoming years.
- Future projects: We are committed to last. Zephyr is a first step towards our vision: catalyzing a space-driven era to enhance life on Earth. New technological breakthroughs for Zephyr but also future launchers are currently in development.
This leadership transition underscores our commitment to maintaining momentum and ensuring continuity in our strategic direction. We are confident that Bastien's promotion is a key step towards achieving our long-term goals.
We extend our gratitude to Olivier for his invaluable contributions and welcome Bastien to his new role with great enthusiasm. As we continue to nurture the roots of a space-driven era from France and Europe, we look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you!
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