Josef Aschbacher

Josef Aschbacher is an Austrian engineer and current Director General of the European Space Agency, overseeing projects such as the Galileo navigation system, Copernicus Programme, and BepiColombo mission in collaboration with NASA, Roscosmos, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Aschbacher's work is closely related to European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, European Astronaut Centre, and Guiana Space Centre. His expertise is also connected to International Space University, University of Innsbruck, and Graz University of Technology.

● Early Life and Education

Aschbacher was born in Austria in 1962 and pursued his higher education at University of Innsbruck, where he earned a degree in Telecommunications Engineering. He furthered his studies at University of Vienna and later moved to France to work with Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and European Space Agency. Aschbacher's educational background is also linked to International Space University, European Astronaut Centre, and German Aerospace Center.

● Career

Aschbacher began his career at European Space Agency in 1994, working on various projects such as Envisat and ERS-1 in collaboration with NASA, Canadian Space Agency, and Indian Space Research Organisation. He also worked closely with European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, European Astronaut Centre, and Guiana Space Centre. Aschbacher's career is also associated with International Space University, University of Innsbruck, and Graz University of Technology, as well as Austrian Space Agency and German Aerospace Center.

● Director of Earth Observation Programmes

Aschbacher served as the Director of Earth Observation Programmes at European Space Agency from 2016 to 2021, overseeing projects such as Copernicus Programme, Sentinel-1, and Sentinel-2 in collaboration with NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Geological Survey. He worked closely with European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, European Astronaut Centre, and Guiana Space Centre. Aschbacher's work in this role is also connected to International Space University, University of Innsbruck, and Graz University of Technology.

● Director General of

the European Space Agency Aschbacher became the Director General of the European Space Agency in 2021, succeeding Jan Wörner. He is responsible for overseeing the agency's projects, including Galileo navigation system, BepiColombo mission, and ExoMars programme in collaboration with NASA, Roscosmos, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Aschbacher works closely with European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, European Astronaut Centre, and Guiana Space Centre. His role is also associated with International Space University, University of Innsbruck, and Graz University of Technology, as well as Austrian Space Agency and German Aerospace Center.

● Awards and Honours

Aschbacher has received several awards and honours for his contributions to the field of space exploration, including the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art. He is also a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and has received awards from NASA, European Space Agency, and European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. Aschbacher's awards are also connected to University of Innsbruck, Graz University of Technology, and International Space University.

● Personal Life

Aschbacher is an Austrian national and is fluent in several languages, including German, English, and French. He is married and has two children, and his personal life is closely connected to Austria, France, and Germany. Aschbacher's personal interests include space exploration, astronomy, and engineering, and he is a strong supporter of European Space Agency, NASA, and International Space University. Category:European Space Agency