Don Kaderbek

Don Kaderbek is currently the VP of Test & Launch at Relativity Space. Prior to that, they were the Director of Testing and Inspection at Blue Origin from December 2020 to April 2022. Before that, they were the Senior Director of Launch at SpaceX from November 2015 to November 2020.

At SpaceX, Kaderbek led the launch teams responsible for executing orbital launch missions from both launch sites and 3x space launch complexes during an unprecedented global pandemic. Don assumed the position of Vice President for SpaceX Launch 10 days prior to the historic Demo-2 mission that returned United States NASA Astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Falcon 9 rocket aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Don executed the highest launch rate in the company’s history with 100% primary mission success. In addition, they led the recovery teams and recovery ships in the recovery of all re-usable hardware to include the Dragon capsules, Falcon 9 boosters and payload fairings.

At Blue Origin, Kaderbek led a high performing team of 150+ test engineers, mechanical technicians, instrumentation and controls (I&C) technicians and construction contractors in the design, build, activation and operation of a highly modified, dual bay, dual propellant, test stand at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Don Kaderbek has a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Don also has a Flight Test from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. In addition, they have a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Alabama. Don also has Correspondence in Military Joint Operations Planning and Strategy from USAF Air War College. Lastly, they have In Residence at Ft Leavenworth, KS in Leadership from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Don Kaderbek reports to Tim Ellis, Co-Founder & CEO. Some of their coworkers include Jenna Kohnke Gaffney - Chief of Staff & Senior Director, Business Performance, Mariana Garavaglia - Chief Business & People Officer, and Scott Van Vliet - SVP, Additive Manufacturing & Software Engineering.