Giorgio Tumino

European Space Agency (ESA) • Chief Technical Advisor for Space Transportation

Giorgio Tumino is a senior leader in European space transportation, with three decades of experience at the European Space Agency (ESA). He graduated cum laude in Aerospace Engineering in 1995 from Sapienza University of Rome, starting his career at ESA’s ESTEC establishment in the Netherlands, within the Technical and Quality Management Directorate. There, as technology engineer, he supported different European space programmes across multiple applications and disciplines, including propulsion, aerothermodynamics, structures, and thermal systems.

In 2004, he moved to ESA Headquarters in France, where he served as Project Manager for the development of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), the precursor of today’s Space Rider. Under his leadership, the programme advanced from initial concept to a fully successful in-flight mission, demonstrating critical technologies for atmospheric re-entry and reusability.

In 2015, he joined ESA’s ESRIN centre in Italy as Vega and Space Rider Development Programmes Manager, leading key programmes including the Vega C, Vega Evolution Preparation, Vega Small Spacecrafts Mission Service and Space Rider. His work has been instrumental in shaping the so-called Vega Space System, a versatile portfolio of launch, orbital and re-entry services, boosting Vega’s competitiveness in the space market.

Since September 2020, he has been serving at ESA Headquarters in France as Chief Technical Advisor for Space Transportation, as a member of the Space Transportation Management Board. In this role, he focuses on strategic technical and programmatic priorities of the sector, contributing to the sustainable development of Europe’s future space transportation capabilities, including strengthened autonomous access to space.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2026

5 - 9 October 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Participation: