Smallsat Manufacturing: Make or Buy Decisions and How they have Evolved

Drew Svor is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm’s Telecom Team. He frequently represents space and satellite companies, network operators, and other innovative, new technology companies in matters before the FCC and other key regulators. Drew focuses on providing strategic advice to operators and investors navigating complex regulatory issues—with a particular focus on approvals for complex cross-border transactions and authorizations for novel use cases in proceedings involving spectrum access, space safety, and national security. Drew also advises companies situated at the crossroads of technology and foreign investment, frequently representing telecommunications and technology companies before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies.

Drew has been recognized for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the Communications Law category. Drew serves as a member of Law360’s Telecommunications Editorial Advisory Board and is also a board member of the Washington Space Business Roundtable. Drew also frequently speaks and writes on telecommunications and satellite-related matters at industry events, including at events hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association and the ABA Space Symposium.

Francis has over 20 years of experience in the Telecoms and Technology sectors and is a founding member of Rivada Networks. Francis currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, having served in several strategic and operational roles since the company’s inception.  Francis also serves as the Rivada company Secretary and is on the Executive Leadership Team of Rivada Space Networks.  Prior to joining Rivada, Francis worked in the strategic consulting sector, most notably for Accenture and McKinsey & Co.

Tina Ghataore joined Aerospacelab in August 2023 as Group Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, and CEO of Aerospacelab’s new North American branch. Prior to joining the fast-growing international startup specialized in designing, manufacturing and operating small satellites, Tina served as Chief Commercial Officer of Mynaric and President of Mynaric USA where she led the company’s efforts to position Mynaric as the preferred laser communication provider for aerospace application for both government and commercial markets.

In 2022, Tina’s contribution to the aerospace industry was recognized by both the public and industry peers alike when she was voted Via Satellite’s “Satellite Executive of the Year”, accepting her award in front of a select audience at the industry’s leading annual conference ‘Satellite 2022’.

Before to take on her leading role at Mynaric, she was the Executive Vice President of Inflight Connectivity Solutions at Yahsat, a leading UAE Satellite Operator, where she was responsible for the overall strategy and execution of enabling the organization to launch into the Mobility Satcom Services business. In 2007, she founded The EKKAM Group, a strategic management consulting firm focused on serving clients in the aerospace/aviation and telecom industries. Key clients included Airbus, Panasonic and Thales. Tina held multiple leadership roles at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, where she was instrumental in efforts to launch the Panasonics Global Communications Services business, currently serving over 80+ airlines globally. She was also charged to establish the strategy and grow the software, applications and media business, serving the In-Flight Entertainment and Communications industry.

Tina began her career at The Boeing Company’s Satellite Systems business unit. She was integral to the building and launch of Connexion by Boeing (CBB) business, the first-of-its-kind true broadband communications services for commercial airlines. As part of the business development organization, she participated in the early pursuits of the Teledesic (LEO) and Ellipso (MEO) satellite programs. She was also a key member of the due diligence team efforts, resulting in the acquisition of Hughes Space and Communications. Tina received her Bachelor of Honors Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Kingston University in the U.K. She is also a graduate of the International Space University.

Žilvinas Kvedaravičius is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kongsberg NanoAvionics. Previously holding the position of Chief Sales Officer, he has been a pivotal figure in the company’s growth over the past seven years. Žilvinas brings an in-depth understanding of the company’s technology and has fostered strong global stakeholder relationships. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Management from the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.

Jeffrey Mackay, as NovaWurks’ CEO, leads with a strategic vision, integrating his multidisciplinary knowledge to cultivate innovation and drive growth. He has a unique combination of manufacturing, engineering and legal experience. Starting his career as a Prototype Machinist in Silicon Valley, to Technician and Engineer at General Dynamics, then transitioning to Attorney. Experienced in securities, M&A and finance.
Jeff accepted the CEO role in 2023 and continues to expand the NovaWurks team and increase our manufacturing capability to satisfy the growing diversity of customer requirements utilizing our disruptive technology.

Al Tadros is the Chief Technology Officer of Redwire. In this role, he is focused on making strategic investments that support Redwire’s customers, advancing technology development and commercialization, and maintaining a nimble and collaborative technical culture. With nearly three decades of experience as an aerospace executive, Al is a thought leader in in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing with a proven track record in maturing satellite and space systems programs for exploration, national security, and commercial innovation.

Previously, Al was Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President of Space Infrastructure at Redwire. In this role, he oversaw the company’s long-term growth strategy and business development activities, and was responsible for advancing development, increasing adoption, and building momentum for Redwire’s mission-enabling capabilities within the civil, defense, and commercial space sectors.

Prior to Redwire, he served as Vice President of Space Infrastructure and Civil Space at Maxar Technologies, where he led significant innovation in next-generation spacecraft design and space infrastructure, integrating robotics and in-space satellite manufacturing, servicing, and assembly capabilities. Over the course of his career at Maxar, Al contributed to 13 missions and launch campaigns, many of which deployed cutting-edge communications and remote sensing systems. Al has worked with both commercial enterprises and government agencies to develop space systems for communications, satellite servicing, remote sensing, and exploration.

An authority in in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing, Al holds patents in the field of attitude control systems and was responsible for early telerobotics research for the International Space Station.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).