Josef Aschbacher
Director General of ESA
European Space Agency (ESA)
Director General of ESA
European Space Agency (ESA)
Born in Austria, he completed his studies in natural sciences at the University of Innsbruck with a Master’s degree and a doctorate. He can look back on a successful international career in space travel with over 35 years of professional experience at the European Space Agency, the European Commission, the Austrian Space Agency, the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Innsbruck. As the current Director General of ESA, he is responsible for the definition, implementation and further development of European space infrastructures and activities. In 2021, he received the Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, the highest honour awarded to non-Italians.