OroraTech has appointed Helena van Mierlo as Managing Director of OroraTech Canada as the company expands its wildfire satellite technology and Canadian operations.
Van Mierlo has served as OroraTech’s Director of Commercial Solutions in Canada for the past year. In her new position, she will lead the company’s full Canadian operations, deepen its relationship with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and strengthen partnerships across the Canadian wildfire community.
OroraTech currently operates 19 satellites in orbit, which it describes as the world’s largest constellation dedicated to wildfire intelligence.
Canadian presence expanded
Since joining OroraTech, van Mierlo has been responsible for establishing the company’s commercial presence in Canada.
Her work has included building relationships with provincial governments, industry and emergency response partners, while developing the commercial strategy for the Canadian operation’s next stage of growth.
Space sector experience
Before joining OroraTech, van Mierlo spent 24 years at the Canadian Space Agency.
Her positions ranged from Robotic Operations Consultant for programmes on the International Space Station to Manager of the Sun Earth System Sciences Program and Interim Director of Earth Observation Utilization and Services.
She also led the CSA’s Microsatellite Program, served as Acting Manager of the Radar and Antenna group and redesigned the agency’s performance measurement framework for its Space Utilization sector.
Van Mierlo was also technical manager of the Japan Canada Joint Collaboration Satellite, JC2Sat FF, project with JAXA.
She holds an aerospace engineering degree from TU Delft and a Diploma of Advanced Space Studies from the International Space University.
Wildfire satellite expertise
Van Mierlo previously served as Mission Manager for both the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite, QEYSSat, and WildFireSat, Canada’s dedicated wildfire monitoring satellite mission.
She also secured federal government funding to support both projects.
Her involvement with WildFireSat provides OroraTech with direct experience of the development of Canada’s wildfire satellite capabilities.
Wildfire technology growth planned
The company aims to provide Canadian wildfire responders with faster and more reliable space based data as wildfire seasons become longer and more severe.
Martin Langer, CEO of OroraTech, said: “Helena has already proven what she can build for OroraTech in Canada over the past year, and her history at the CSA – especially her role in getting WildFireSat funded and off the ground – makes her one of the most qualified people in the country to lead our next chapter here.”
Helena van Mierlo, incoming Managing Director, OroraTech Canada, said: “I’ve spent a big part of my career trying to give Canada better tools to manage wildfires.
“At OroraTech, I get to keep doing that work as part of the exponentially growing commercial space sector. In a domain as complex and publicly relevant as wildfire management, collaboration between government organisations and the commercial space sector is essential.
“I’m excited to lead our Canadian team into this next stage of opportunities.”
