Marino Fragnito: Chief Commercial Officer and Launch Services Director at Avio

This week on The Astro Ben Podcast, we dive into the world of space launches with Marino Fragnito, Avio's Chief Commercial Officer and Launch Services Director. Appointed in September 2024, Marino drives Avio's Vega C and Ariane 6 programs while navigating the competitive space market in March 2025. With a career spanning Airbus, Arianespace, and Thales Alenia Space, he shares insights on commercialising Vega, boosting Europe's launch capabilities, and tackling global competition. From sustainable propulsion to defense applications, this episode explores how Avio is shaping the future of space access. OUTLINE:

Here's approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:53 Introducing Marino

01:56 Marino's interest in Space

04:50 Technical background

06:19 Avio

08:56 Vega C Program

13:34 Lack of European ambition?

19:30 Reusability of rockets

21:20 AI

23:14 Geopolitics in Europe effecting the Space industry

26:29 Space Tourism