Ursa Major promotes unit president to CEO

Rocket propulsion firm elevates Chris Spagnoletti to lead the company as it scales operations.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 12:15pm

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Ursa Major Technologies Inc., a Berthoud-based missile and rocket propulsion company, has promoted Chris Spagnoletti, formerly its president of liquid systems, to CEO. Spagnoletti takes over from Dan Jablonsky, who joined the company in 2024 from space technology firm Maxar Technologies.

Why it matters

Ursa Major has grown rapidly in recent years, booking over $115 million in contracts in 2025 from government and private clients. The company's promotion of an internal executive to CEO signals its intent to continue scaling its hypersonic, space-based defense, and other propulsion capabilities.

The details

Under Spagnoletti's leadership, Ursa Major plans to use a recent $100 million Series E funding round to support the development of its throttleable, storable, liquid-fueled hypersonic and space-based defense solutions, as well as scale its solid rocket motor and sustained space mobility manufacturing capacity.

  • Ursa Major raised a $100 million Series E funding round in late 2025.
  • Last December, Colorado officials offered a $35 million-plus tax incentives package to help a homegrown aerospace company facilitate a large-scale expansion, which evidence suggests was likely Ursa Major.

The players

Ursa Major Technologies Inc.

A Berthoud-headquartered missile and rocket propulsion company.

Chris Spagnoletti

Formerly the president of liquid systems at Ursa Major, he has been promoted to CEO.

Dan Jablonsky

Joined Ursa Major in 2024 from space technology company Maxar Technologies Inc., where he was CEO.

Ron Sugar

An Ursa Major board member.

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What they’re saying

“Over the past four years, Ursa Major has evolved from a startup into a trusted name in aerospace and defense. We've flown hypersonic systems multiple times, designed and built the Draper engine and our first all-up round, and launched modernized solid rocket motor and in-space propulsion businesses. Leading this team through many of these milestones has been a defining chapter of my career. I have deep confidence in our people and in what we're building. I'm honored to serve as CEO as we continue delivering critical capabilities to our customers at speed and scale.”

— Chris Spagnoletti, CEO, Ursa Major Technologies

“Chris has already demonstrated the kind of leadership Ursa Major needs in the company's next phase of growth. Chris has been central to advancing our hypersonic and liquid programs while building the operational rigor required to scale. This transition ensures continuity in strategy and accelerates the momentum already underway across the company.”

— Ron Sugar, Board Member, Ursa Major Technologies

What’s next

Ursa Major plans to continue scaling its operations and expanding its capabilities in hypersonic, space-based defense, and other propulsion technologies under Spagnoletti's leadership.

The takeaway

Ursa Major's promotion of an internal executive to CEO signals the company's intent to build on its recent growth and momentum in the aerospace and defense sectors, leveraging its expertise in cutting-edge propulsion technologies to deliver critical capabilities to its customers.