Private investment firm AE Industrial Partners, LP finalized the acquisition of the space propulsion, power and electronics units from L3Harris Technologies and will launch the entity as Rocketdyne. L3Harris will retain a minority stake in the business and continue to be a strategic partner.
AE Industrial expects its focused investment and active partnership to support Rocketdyne in deepening its role as a supplier to the space and defense industrial base.
The firm will invest in Rocketdyne’s core capabilities, including upgrading the technology and manufacturing of the RL10 rocket engine, ramping up production of in-space propulsion thrusters and advancing nuclear power and energy solutions for space applications.
The new company will be led by Kristin Houston as CEO. Houston previously served as president of the Space Propulsion & Power Systems sector within the Missile Solutions segment of L3Harris and as president of the Electro Optical sector within Integrated Mission Systems. Prior to her role at L3Harris, she spent more than 16 years at Boeing with senior roles in engineering and program management.
“Rocketdyne will now have the agility to invest in and scale its core businesses, driving the next generation of space mobility, power and electronics,” AE Industrial Partner Jon Lusczakoski said. “Kristin is a proven leader who knows how to grow technology businesses by strengthening customer relationships, innovating new solutions and building high-performing teams.”
