Alex KARL

Space Applications Services NV/SA • Space Engineer, Planetary Defense, ISS Operations, Public Education & Outreach

Alex Karl is a space engineer working as ISS Flight Operations Engineer for Space Applications Services at ESA's European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne. In 2021 he celebrated his 1000th on-console shift. His current roles are EUROCOM, directly talking to and supporting the astronauts using European payloads and systems on the ISS, and Crew Support to assigned ESA astronauts - before, during and after their flight to space. Previously he has worked 10 years operating European payloads on the ISS from B.USOC in Brussels.

Alex is active within the Planetary Defense Community since 2007, protecting Earth from asteroid impacts, mainly in public communication, education and outreach. He is Chair of the Asteroids2029 Planning Group and Interim Steering Committee, one of the Co-Chairs of the biennial IAA Planetary Defense Conference (PDC) and the Vice-Chair of the IAF Technical Committee on Planetary Defense and NEOs. He was Chair of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) from 2007-2009, and created and led its Near Earth Object (NEO) Project Group for many years.

Alex holds a Master degree from the University of Applied Sciences Aachen in Space Engineering, and a Post-graduate Master from the Politecnico di Torino in Space Exploration and Development Systems (SEEDS). He is a SpaceKind alumni, facilitator and coach.

Events

77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026)

5 - 9 October 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2025

29 September - 3 October 2025

Sydney, Australia

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2023

2-6 October 2023

Baku, Azerbaijan

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2022

18-22 September 2022

Paris, France

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2021

25-29 October 2021

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2019

21-25 October 2019

Washington, United States

Participation:

Participation