The IAF is proud to introduce the 2026 IAF Young Space Leaders!

Assistant Professor
Sapienza University of Rome

Federica Angeletti is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the School of Aerospace Engineering of Sapienza University of Rome, where her work focuses on the dynamics, control and monitoring of flexible space systems. She earned her Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Space Engineering from the same institution and, during her doctoral studies, was a visiting researcher at Thales Alenia Space France. Later, she worked as a Mechanisms and Robotics Engineer at OHB System AG in Germany. She is currently Principal Investigator of research projects dedicated to safe machine learning-based techniques for in-orbit docking of flexible spacecraft and advanced structural health monitoring solutions for aerospace platforms. During her academic career, she has contributed to studies funded by the European Space Agency, ranging from the design of integrated robust attitude and vibration control architectures to the assessment of dynamic behavior and simulation models for space launchers. She has also taken part in international educational aerospace programs and missions, including a stratospheric balloon flight campaign and CubeSat development projects.

Federica is actively involved in the international aerospace community through her roles in several professional organizations, among them the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Women in Aerospace-Europe (WIA-Europe), Associazione Italiana di Aeronautica e Astronautica (AIDAA), and Zonta International. She is currently part of the IAF Materials and Structures Committee and also an elected corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Through these activities, she promotes inclusion, education, international cooperation, and professional development within the aerospace sector. Her research and international engagement have been recognized through awards and fellowships, such as the 2018 Amelia Earhart Fellowship and the 2021 IAF Luigi G. Napolitano Award.

Business Development Officer
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Isi Casas Del Valle is a Chilean Aerospace Lawyer with an MSc in Business Management and currently serves as Business Development Officer at the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), the world’s largest network of students and young professionals in the space sector. She has worked with international organizations including the European Southern Observatory and has consulted for multiple space startups and international initiatives. Within SGAC, Isi previously served as National Point of Contact for Chile and later as Regional Coordinator for South America, supporting the growth of the regional space community and international partnerships.

Passionate about education and capacity building, Isi was a professor of Space Law and Public International Law at Universidad de los Andes and has been invited as a guest lecturer at several Space Studies Programs of the International Space University, as well as other universities worldwide. She is the first Chilean to receive the Emerging Space Leader recognition from the International Astronautical Federation and has also been awarded scholarships and recognitions from organizations including the Secure World Foundation and Universidad de los Andes for her contributions to the space sector and academic excellence.

Associate Professor
Bauman Moscow State Technical University

Dmitriy A. Grishko, born 1991, PhD (Phys-Math), is the associate professor of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Department of Theoretical Mechanics, where he coordinates academic programs in celestial mechanics. He is the expert in astrodynamics, specializing in orbital dynamics for active debris removal. He developed optimized multi-target transfer schemes leveraging orbital perturbations, contributing to mission planning in low and geostationary orbits. Since 2021, Dmitriy is the member of IAA Permanent Committee on Space Debris and session co-chair for Space Debris Symposium at IAC. He also participates in the activities of IAF Space Traffic Management Committee since 2020, where he was among coordinators of the working groups.

Specialist, Product & Space Sustainability
SES

Charles-Aimé Nzeussi Mbouendeu is an author & visionary leader, passionate advocate for emerging space nations, and a recognized voice in the global movement to democratize access to space. His work sits at the intersection of space sustainability, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and environmental stewardship, positioning him as a strong advocate for a more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable space ecosystem. As a Product & Space Sustainability Specialist at SES, Charles-Aimé contributes to the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into space operations. He is actively involved in major initiatives such as the IRIS² program sustainability. His multidisciplinary background in physics, industrial and environmental risk management engineering, combined with a Master’s in Space Studies from International Space University, enables him to bridge science, industry, and policy to address complex global challenges with practical and forward-looking solutions.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Charles-Aimé is a dedicated mentor, international speaker, and advocate for global capacity-building within the space sector. He currently serves as Chair of the IAF ACCESS Africa Subcommittee, where he promotes access to space and strengthens collaboration across the African continent, and as SGAC Regional Partnership Manager for Africa, supporting youth engagement and empowering the next generation of space professionals. He also contributes as an expert to the IAF GLOC and the IAC 2026 IPC Committee. In addition, he serves as a Visiting Lecturer at ISU and Head of Partnerships for the Summer Space Festival. His contributions and leadership have been recognized through several prestigious distinctions, including the Africa Leadership Award and Global Grants Award from Space Generation Advisory Council, and selection as a winner of the IAF Launchpad Mentorship Programme.

ISS / Columbus Flight Director
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)