Josef ASCHBACHER
European Space Agency (ESA) • Director General
Born in Austria, Josef Aschbacher studied at the University of Innsbruck, graduating with a Master’s degree and a PhD in natural sciences. He has had an accomplished international career in space, combining more than 35 years’ work experience at ESA, the European Commission, the Austrian Space Agency, the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Innsbruck.
As Chief Executive Officer of ESA, Dr Aschbacher is responsible for the definition, implementation and development of Europe’s space infrastructure and activities, which include launchers, satellites performing Earth observation, navigation, telecommunication and space science, together with robotic exploration and ESA astronauts working on the International Space Station. He is responsible for an annual budget of €7 billion and a workforce of 5500 distributed across several establishments, principally in Europe.
When taking up office as ESA Director General, Dr Aschbacher published a new strategy for space in Europe, called 'Agenda 2025', aimed at accelerating significantly the use of space in Europe through major new initiatives and programmes.
In 2021, Dr Aschbacher became 'Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana', the highest recognition accorded to non-Italian nationals.
Events
The Global Space Exploration Conference 2025
7-9 May 2025
New Delhi, India
Participation:
IAF Spring Meetings 2025
25-27 March 2025
Paris, France
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2024
14-18 October 2024
Milan, Italy
Participation:
IAF Spring Meetings 2024
26-28 March 2024
Paris, France
Participation:
The Global Space Conference on Climate Change 2023
23 May-25 May 2023
Oslo, Norway
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2022
18-22 September 2022
Paris, France
Participation:
- Associated Events: IAF-CGTN TV Broadcast Session: Space Exploration for a Shared Future
- Press Conferences: Heads of Space Agencies Press Conference
- Plenary Events: Heads of Agencies
- Plenary Events: James Webb Space Telescope: The Story of International Collaboration and a New Era of Astronomy for All
- Sunday 18 September: Roundtable ESA Ministerial 2022
- Wednesday 21 September: Sustainability Actions for Emerging Countries using Satellite Data
- VIP Breakfasts and Luncheons: Sunday 18 September
International Astronautical Congress 2021
25-29 October 2021
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Participation:
- 2021 72nd IAC: Speakers
- Associated events: VIP BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHEONS
- Plenary Events: Heads of Agencies
- Highlight Lectures: Twenty Years of Saving Lives from Space; how space agencies are contributing to relief efforts through the "International Charter Space and Major Disasters"
- Monday 25 October 2021: Challenges Ahead for a Responsible Space Sector
- Wednesday 27 October: Is Europe ready for Human Spaceflight?
The Global Space Exploration Conference 2021
14-18 June 2021
St. Petersburg, Russia
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2019
21-25 October 2019
Washington, United States
Participation:
- Monday 21 October 2019: IAF GNF Opening Day: EO as a Pillar of the Space Economy and Perspectives of Industrial Policy
- Tuesday 22 October 2019: Home Planet 2030 – The Role of Earth Observations in Studying Our Planet
- Tuesday 22 October 2019: EO+AI – The Game Changer in the Way We See the World
- Wednesday 23 October 2019: Young Minds Meet Space Leaders: Words Into Action
International Astronautical Congress 2018
1–5 October 2018
Bremen, Germany
Participation:
- Plenary events: Greenhouse Gas Measurements from Space – Difficult Challenges, Emerging Success, and Plans for the Future
- Wednesday 3 October 2018: Earth Observation and Sustainable Development Goals – Views from a Decade with the Group on Earth Observations. Panel Discussion on Readiness for a Terrestrial Forecasting System
- Wednesday 3 October 2018: The Golden Age of European Earth Observation
- Wednesday 3 October 2018: New Approaches to Space for a Better World: Space for Sustainable Development
- Tuesday 2 October 2018: IAF GNF Society & Education Stream: New Space – Rocking Earth Observation
International Astronautical Congress 2017
25-29 September 2017
Adelaide, Australia
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2016
26-30 September 2016
Guadalajara, Mexico
Participation:
The Global Conference on Space and the Information Society 2016
6-7 June 2016
Geneva, Switzerland