Before the Merritt Island facility fully merged with Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, it operated as Airbus OneWeb Satellites—a joint venture between Airbus U.S. Space & Defense and OneWeb (now Eutelsat OneWeb). This site was home to the Gen1 satellite project, where we pioneered the first high-speed satellite production line. With an impressive output of two satellites per day, the facility delivered over 700 satellites in just over four years. The Gen1 program achieved 20 successful launches and more than 2,000 years in orbit!

In early 2024, Airbus U.S. announced the acquisition of Eutelsat OneWeb’s shares, securing full ownership of the Merritt Island facility. Now, the facility has become integral to the company’s space sector operations. It serves as the manufacturing hub for projects such as LOFT, Arrow 450, and Croupier and currently employs just over 200 individuals dedicated to supporting the company’s space ambitions.

One of those employees is Ivan Davila, a Program Integrator. Ivan’s role focuses on keeping production efforts aligned and proactively solving problems that could affect operations.

“It’s my responsibility to engage the right people at the right time,” he said. “I predict and try to eliminate any issues that cause problems—whether with costs, schedule, or employee morale.”

Outside of the production team, Ivan also works closely with teams in manufacturing, engineering, and occasionally Airbus Constellations.

“You don’t see people here that are not pushing to accomplish our mission and do the right thing,” he said.

A typical day for Ivan begins with a review of the previous day’s production numbers compared to the expected plan. If the results differ from expectations—whether a team is ahead or behind schedule—he digs into the reason why.

“This initial step helps ensure we’re on track, aligned, and clear on what we need to accomplish tactically that day,” he said.

Ivan’s mornings are filled with meetings designed to keep teams coordinated and address any production gaps early. Some discussions focus on off-nominal work or deviations on the production floor, while others cover long-term master planning or discuss potential issues on the horizon.

By mid-day, Ivan attends a weekly production meeting that brings technicians, support staff, and management together. The meeting provides a forum to review current priorities and ensure everyone’s voices are heard.

“This meeting is the time where concerns are raised, plans are challenged, and decisions are made,” he said.

If a team says a plan isn’t feasible, and Ivan has seen it done before, he challenges them to find another way. The goal is to reach a consensus on everyone’s short-term plan.

In the afternoon, Ivan attends a variety of weekly meetings. One day, he may meet with program managers to identify ways to improve operational efficiency across the Florida site. On another, he may meet with support teams to review the needs of the upcoming weekend. These meetings give Ivan the chance to assess whether the site has the necessary resources in place and discuss what can be achieved with their day-to-day constraints.

“We always try to ensure that the production and operations teams have the parts and tools they need,” he said. “If you give those teams what they need, they will bring the moon down for you.”

As the workday winds down, Ivan begins preparing for the next.

“Then we get ready to do it all again tomorrow,” he said.

For Ivan and his colleagues, each day of work at the Merritt Island facility is a step toward the greater mission of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. Over his time on the team, Ivan has witnessed firsthand how that mission has evolved.

“It’s been incredible to watch this place transform over the two-and-a-half years I’ve been here,” he said.

When Ivan first joined the team, the facility focused on supporting OneWeb’s goal of expanding global connectivity. Since then, the site has broadened its scope, transitioning into programs serving commercial and defense markets.

“We enable our customers to reach space and support their missions across both sectors,” he said. “The Merritt Island facility is part of the defense of the United States and the capability of our armed forces, which I believe is an incredibly important contribution.”

As Ivan looks ahead, he sees the facility’s growth continuing as the team takes on new challenges and responsibilities.

“Every day, we’re contributing to missions that have real impact, and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.”