OUR TEAM

The People Building Orbitworks

Orbitworks brings together expertise across satellite missions, aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, software and operations. Our team is united by a shared ambition to help build lasting space capability in the UAE.
LEADERSHIP

Board of Directors

Orbitworks is guided by leadership with deep experience across aerospace, strategy, operations and infrastructure.
Linkedin

Dr. Hamdullah Mohib

Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

Linkedin

Raoul d’Hérouville

Chief Operating Officer

Linkedin

Justin Ledbetter

Acting Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Director

Linkedin

Pierre-Damien Vaujour

Executive Director

Management

Meet the Team Behind Orbitworks

From engineering and mission operations to manufacturing, software and programme delivery, the Orbitworks team is building the capability needed to support a new generation of space missions from Abu Dhabi.
Linkedin

Manny Crespo

VP Industrial Operations
Linkedin

Rémy Derollez

VP of Infrastructure
Linkedin

Salim Al Alawi

Business Development Director
Linkedin

Ralph Koyess

Business Development Director
Linkedin

Mohamed Alkarbi

AIT Director
Linkedin

Biny Ninan

Finance Director
Linkedin

Rabia Nasrallah

Head of People Ops and Recruiting
Contact
Linkedin

Dr. Hamdullah Mohib

Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

Dr. Hamdullah Mohib is the CEO of Marlan Space, an Abu Dhabi-based startup driving the growth of the commercial space sector in the UAE and beyond, and currently serves as the Acting CEO of Orbitworks. With a distinguished career spanning diplomacy, technology, and public service, Dr. Mohib previously served as Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. and later as National Security Adviser to the President. He began his technical journey at Intel and went on to become Assistant Professor and CTO at the American University of Afghanistan. Recognized as a Young Global Leader and holding a PhD from Brunel University, Dr. Mohib is now focused on advancing innovation and leadership in the global space industry.

Linkedin

Raoul d’Hérouville

Chief Operating Officer

Raoul brings a distinguished career with significant leadership experience at Airbus and OneWeb Satellites. During his time at Airbus, he managed complex aerospace programs and led strategic projects that streamlined production processes, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge solutions.

At OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture between Airbus and OneWeb, Raoul played a critical role in transforming satellite manufacturing. He was instrumental in industrializing and producing satellite prototypes in Toulouse, France, and later led the establishment of one of the world’s first serial production satellite manufacturing facilities in Florida. Under his leadership as COO, the company achieved the successful production of over 700 satellites, solidifying its position as a pioneer in large-scale satellite manufacturing. Raoul’s hands-on experience in scaling operations and driving innovation makes him an invaluable addition to Orbitworks.

Linkedin

Justin Ledbetter

Acting Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Director

Justin Ledbetter is an experienced technology and operations executive with expertise in engineering, startups, venture capital, and product. He has a track record of taking organizations from 0 to 1 and beyond. He currently serves as Acting COO at Orbitworks, where he leads the Business Development, Marketing, Finance and People Ops functions. In addition to his role at Orbitworks, Justin is the COO at Marlan Space, where he spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the company’s position in the global space ecosystem.

Before his current role, Justin co-founded an AI platform to streamline company operations. Justin also started his career as an engineer for Microsoft and later worked in conflict-affected regions, fostering economic development with organizations like Mercy Corps in Libya and Gaza. Justin holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Clemson University.

Linkedin

Pierre-Damien Vaujour

Executive Director

Pierre-Damien Vaujour is a pioneering aerospace entrepreneur and technology leader with over 15 years of experience in the global space industry. As Co-Founder and CEO of Loft Orbital, he has been at the forefront of transforming access to space through satellite infrastructure services, following earlier roles at Spire Global and NASA Ames Research Center where he drove major advances in space systems engineering and commercial space partnerships.

With a career spanning Europe and the United States, Pierre has helped secure funding, scale operations, and lead international collaborations in both public and private sectors. In addition to his executive leadership, Pierre also serves as an Executive Director of the Board at Orbitworks, where he contributes strategic vision and deep expertise to guide the company’s mission in shaping the future of satellite technologies.

Linkedin

Manny Crespo

VP Industrial Operations

Manny is the Vice President of Industrial Operations at Orbitworks, bringing over 14 years of dynamic leadership in aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Known for scaling satellite production and delivering high-impact operational outcomes, Manny previously held senior roles at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, where he led manufacturing engineering, plant operations, and production excellence initiatives, culminating in the successful delivery of over 650 satellites.

With a foundation in industrial engineering and deep expertise in lean manufacturing, program execution, and cross-functional team leadership, Manny has consistently driven transformation and innovation across complex technical environments. He holds an MBA and an MS in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Florida, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.

Linkedin

Rémy Derollez

VP of Infrastructure

Rémy Derollez joins Orbitworks as Vice President of Infrastructure, bringing deep technical expertise and leadership in space systems and satellite operations. Prior to Orbitworks, Rémy spent over five years at Loft Orbital, where he led critical initiatives across RF payload deployment, software development, flight dynamics, and satellite commissioning and operations, including the operationalization of the Longbow satellite platform. Rémy spent some time training at Thales Alenia Space working on the automation of testing processes and at ESA, analyzing interactions between national agencies and NewSpace entities. A former researcher at Stanford University for NASA, his background spans Mars exploration, robust trajectory optimization, dynamical systems, mission control systems, and the design of scalable space infrastructure. Rémy holds a Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Master’s in Engineering from École Centrale Paris, and is a Fulbright scholar recognized for his contributions to cutting-edge space technologies.

Linkedin

Salim Al Alawi

Business Development Director

Salim is a seasoned business development leader with extensive experience in the satellite communications and space industry. He brings a strong track record of driving strategic growth and forging key partnerships during his tenure at Space42. Prior to this, he held various leadership roles at Yahsat Space Services over a decade, where he spearheaded government solutions, managed high-value programs, and played a pivotal role in expanding Yahsat’s product portfolio.

His expertise in budget management, strategic planning, and market expansion has contributed to multi-million-dollar revenue growth and positioned organizations for long-term success. Salim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from Virginia Tech, further reinforcing his technical and business acumen in the industry.

Linkedin

Ralph Koyess

Business Development Director

Ralph is a Business Development Director at Orbitworks, where he leads strategic growth initiatives across the satellite and aerospace sector. With over 15 years of experience spanning defense, intelligence, geospatial technology, and advanced engineering, Ralph has held pivotal roles at organizations such as Planet – where he led Defense & Intelligence operations in MENA – and Orbital Insight, Oxford Space Systems, and the Renault F1 Team.

His technical foundation is rooted in a career that began as a researcher at NASA and as a performance engineer in Formula 1. Ralph holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Motorsport Engineering and Management from Cranfield University.

Linkedin

Mohamed Alkarbi

AIT Director

Mohamed joins Orbitworks as an experienced satellite AIT (Assembly, Integration, and Testing) and operations manager, bringing close to 7 years of expertise in the space sector.
Beyond his role at Orbitworks, Mohamed serves as a Board Member of the UAE Space Agency, where he contributes to the strategic direction and development of the UAE’s national space ambitions. His leadership extends to his previous role as Program Manager at the National Space Science & Technology Center (NSSTC) at UAE University. There, Mohamed was instrumental in developing advanced satellite testing facilities, significantly supporting the UAE’s aspirations in space exploration and innovation.

Mohamed’s technical expertise, coupled with his dedication to precision and quality, strengthens Orbitworks’ ability to deliver high-performance satellite solutions efficiently and effectively.
These key appointments underscore Orbitworks’ commitment to building a world-class team dedicated to excellence. With Raoul’s strategic leadership and Mohamed’s technical expertise, we are confident in our ability to scale new heights and continue setting benchmarks in the space industry.

Linkedin

Biny Ninan

Finance Director

Biny Ninan is a seasoned finance leader with nearly two decades of experience across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and European markets, spanning oil and gas, fintech, trade finance, private equity, and healthcare. Before joining Orbitworks, she led Corporate Finance at Euro Mechanical and held senior finance roles at Incomlend and TVM Capital Healthcare, driving M&A, treasury, fundraising, and cross-border investment strategies totaling over USD 400 million. She began her career with EY, where she built a strong foundation in audit, financial controls, risk assessments, and corporate governance.

An ACCA Fellow and a UAECA-certified professional, Biny also holds the Certified Global FP&A credential and a commerce degree from Christ University, Bangalore. She is an ACCA Mentor and Founding Member of the Young Professionals Club, fostering thought leadership and mentorship across industries.

She is deeply committed to building capable teams, strengthening governance, and fostering collaboration to deliver lasting financial and operational impact.

Linkedin

Rabia Nasrallah

Head of People Ops and Recruiting

Rabia is a seasoned HR and talent acquisition leader with over 9 years of experience spearheading people operations across fast-scaling tech companies in the MENA region. Currently the Head of People Operations and Recruiting at Orbitworks, Rabia brings a deep understanding of what it takes to build resilient, high-performance teams in dynamic, growth-driven environments.

Her expertise spans the full spectrum of talent strategy, from employer branding and leadership hiring to organizational development and retention, developed through key roles at Retailo Technologies and Stella Stays, where she led people operations in multiple markets. Rabia has successfully driven HR transformation and talent growth across Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and Egypt, aligning people strategy with business objectives in complex, multicultural settings.

With a passion for fostering purpose-driven workplace cultures and scaling startup ecosystems, Rabia continues to play a critical role in shaping the future of work in the region’s tech landscape.