24 years at the Canadian Space Agency – including as Mission Manager for WildFireSat – brings deep program, technical, and government expertise to OroraTech’s growing Canadian operations.
OroraTech, the global leader in space-based thermal intelligence for wildfire detection, today announced that Helena van Mierlo will become Managing Director of OroraTech Canada. With 19 satellites operational in orbit, OroraTech operates the world’s largest constellation dedicated to wildfire intelligence. Helena has served as OroraTech’s Director of Commercial Solutions in Canada for the past year and will now lead the company’s full Canadian operations as it expands wildfire satellite technology, deepens its relationship with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and strengthens its partnerships in the Canadian wildfire community.
A year building OroraTech’s foundation in Canada
Since joining OroraTech, Helena has been responsible for standing up the company’s commercial presence in Canada by building relationships with provincial governments, industry, emergency-response partners, and shaping the commercial strategy that will guide the Canadian branch’s next phase of growth. Her promotion to Managing Director is a reflection of both her track record and the deep expertise she brings from more than two decades inside Canada’s space program.
Twenty-four years at the Canadian Space Agency
Before OroraTech, Helena spent 24 years total at the Canadian Space Agency, rising from a Robotic Operations Consultant for programs on the International Space Station to Manager of the Sun-Earth System Sciences Program and Interim Director of Earth Observation Utilization and Services. Along the way, she led CSA’s Microsatellite Program, served as Acting Manager of the Radar and Antenna group, redesigned the agency’s performance measurement framework for its Space Utilization sector, and was 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.
Most notably for OroraTech’s mission, Helena was Mission Manager for both the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) and WildFireSat, Canada’s dedicated wildfire-monitoring satellite mission, while securing federal government funding to get both off the ground. WildFireSat exists in large part because of her work, which means Helena doesn’t just understand the wildfire satellite landscape in Canada – she helped build it.
“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.”
- Martin Langer, CEO of OroraTech
“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 organizations and the commercial space sector is essential. I’m excited to lead our Canadian team into this next stage of opportunities.”
- Helena van Mierlo, incoming Managing Director, OroraTech Canada
What’s next for OroraTech Canada
Building on OroraTech’s 19 operational satellites currently in orbit, Helena will lead OroraTech’s push to grow wildfire satellite technology development and production in Canada and shape the company’s relationship with the Canadian Space Agency, building on relationships and programs she helped shape from the other side of the table. The goal: giving Canada’s wildfire responders faster, more reliable space-based data as wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe.
For more information please visit: https://ororatech.com/
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OroraTech
We empower those who protect our world, one decision at a time
Using thermal intelligence, satellite technology, and real-time insights, we help first responders and decision-makers safeguard communities, reduce risks, and build a more resilient future.
