Sierra Space says its chief executive has retired from the company, a move that has taken many in the industry by surprise.

The company said in a Jan. 6 statement to SpaceNews that Tom Vice retired as chief executive as of the end of 2024. The statement did not elaborate on the reasons for his retirement or its timing.

“After three and half years in the role, Tom Vice has retired as Sierra Space CEO as of the end of 2024 – we thank him for his leadership and wish him well in his retirement,” the company stated.

Vice had not previously announced any plans to retire from Sierra Space, where he had been chief executive since mid-2021.

Sierra Space said that the chairman of the board of Sierra Space, Fatih Ozmen, would serve as interim chief executive while the company looks for a permanent replacement.