After two consecutive years of record global orbital launch activity, can the world’s launch infrastructure absorb another dozen or more new launch providers aiming to enter service over the next five years? While Cape Canaveral marshaled a record 55 launches in 2022 (up 180% y/y) there is a natural limit to a spaceport’s flight rate due to weather limitations and the need to manage air traffic restrictions. Stepping into this void, governmental and private actors have combined forces to spearhead the development of more than a dozen new spaceport facilities globally. Can they all be winners?
Chris Quilty
Chris is the president of Quilty Space, an independent research and consulting firm that provides strategy, competitive benchmarking, financial analysis, and investment diligence on all aspects of the Satellite & Space industry.
Prior to establishing Quilty Spacein 2016, Chris served as a sell-side research analyst with Raymond James for 20 years, publishing hundreds of company-specific, macro, sector, and thematic research reports on the industrial, defense, space, wireless, and communications industries. Chris is widely-acknowledged as the leading Wall Street analyst on the Satellite & Space sector and has participated in 30 capital markets transactions over the past five years valued at over $2.5 billion
Chris received a BS degree in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1994.
Michael Jones
Mr Jones has over 30 years’ senior management experience as a CEO, Company Director, Investment Banker, Corporate Advisor, Test Pilot, Sports Administrator and Business mentor/advisor.
Following a distinguished military career as an Experimental Test Pilot, Mr Jones held several senior positions as CEO of the Aerospace Group, Raytheon Australia and Smart Communication Group. Mr Jones also completed several senior advisory and technical appointments with Boeing, Airbus, IPTN/CASA and Alenia Aeronautica.
An Olympian as Director of Sailing at the Beijing Olympics, past Chairman of the Americas’ Cup Challenger Committee and CEO of Brumbies professional rugby team Mr Jones continues to have a passion for, and parallel career in elite sports management.
Mr Jones was the founder and inaugural CEO and Chairman of ASX listed airline Regional Express (ASX: REX). Mr Jones has also sat on numerous public, private and not for profit Boards.
Michael also co-founded and was Managing Partner of investment banking company Canterbury Hill Advisory for 14 years, completing over $2 billion in transactions and has filled temporary CEO or Principal Advisor to the Boards of companies in the Airline, Agricultural, Marine, Manufacturing, Logistics, Professional Sport, Resources, Property, Medical Services, Software and Financial Services industries.
Before joining ELA in 2021, Mr Jones filled CEO and Chief Strategy Officer roles with large logistics business AWH and Virgin Australian Airline respectively.
Mr Jones has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of NSW, a Master of Applied Science (eqv) from Cranfield University and a Grad Dip of Applied Finance (Investment Banking) from the Securities Institute of Australia.
Michael Jones joined ELA in 2021 and since that time has: restructured the company, completed Series A and B capital raises, steered the development of the Arnhem Space Centre and the issue of the first Launch Facilities Licence and Launch Permit for Australia’s first ever commercial Space launch and NASA’s first ever launch from a commercial space Port.
ELA owns and operates the Arnhem Space Centre (ASC) at 12 degrees south of the equator and the world most advanced multi-user commercial spaceport, having achieved three NASA space launches in 15 days in 2022. From 2024 ELA will increase orbital launch cadence to a peak tempo of over 50 launch/year.
ELA has agreements with ‘new space’ launch providers from USA, Europe and Asia and expects to be soon booked out for the next five years.
Mr Jones is a highly distinguished graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon and the Empire Test Pilots’ School UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a member of Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Tom Marotta
Tom Marotta is the Founder and CEO of The Spaceport Company. Prior to founding The Spaceport Company he was the Principal Launch Licensing Manager at Astra Space where he obtained the first FAA Part 450 launch license and helped establish Astra’s second spaceport, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in 8 months, faster than it’s ever been done before. From 2016 to 2021 he worked at the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation managing the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee and writing portions of the Part 450 licensing regulation. From 2010 to 2016 he was U.S. Foreign Service Officer having served overseas in West Africa, Europe, and Iraq. He was an original co-founder of the Beyond Earth Institute and co-authored “The High Frontier: An Easier Way”.
Steve Matier
Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services, is the visionary and driving force behind the development of Spaceport Nova Scotia, a world-class commercial space complex that will launch Canada into the global space industry. Â
A mechanical engineer (Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico, 1989) and an award-winning former NASA contractor engineering manager (NASA White Sands Test Facility), Matier is driving the  collaboration and partnerships that will support the development of a safe and environmentally sustainable commercial space market in Canada.
 With satellite clients within Canada and around the globe interested in launch from Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch is joining a global industry that will exceed one trillion dollars annually within the next 20 years. Â