Australian space startup Hypersonix Launch Systems has appointed Arthur Sinodinos as board chair, replacing David Waterhouse, who now assumes the deputy chair role.
Sinodinos, who co-chairs the AUKUS Forum, formerly served as a senator for New South Wales and Australia’s ambassador to the United States from February 2020 to March 2023. He also held other roles in the Australian government, including minister for industry, innovation and science, cabinet minister, and senior adviser and chief of staff to former Prime Minister John Howard.
Sinodinos also brings experience from the private sector. From 2006 to 2007, he was an advisory director in Goldman Sachs’ investment banking division. He then joined National Australia Bank as general manager for business and private banks, and in 2009 was appointed as managing director for NAB’s government, education and carbon solutions, among other business areas. He was later named senior adviser for business banking and private wealth. He is currently a partner and chair of The Asia Group’s Australia practice.
Hypersonix, which access-to-space technology and launch vehicles that use green hydrogen fuel, said the experience the Australian diplomat has gained in the public and private sectors is essential to his role as he guides the company’s expansion to the global aerospace and satellite launch markets.
According to Sinodinos, the company’s products have the potential to support the development of hypersonic technology in the defense sector, adding that the technologies could also be used for commercial applications.
