Space solutions for Europe’s challenges: shaping resilience with space technology

Thirty years ago, Josef Aschbacher began his career at the European Space Agency (ESA) where he was seconded as the ESA Representative to Southeast Asia at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok. Later, he joined the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy, where he served as scientific assistant to the Director of the Space Applications Institute. Upon his return to ESA headquarters in Paris, he was tasked with advancing Copernicus activities within ESA, going on to become head of the Copernicus Space Office, where he led all activities for Copernicus within the Agency and with external partners, in particular the European Commission. Before taking office as the ESA’s Director General, Aschbacher was entrusted with planning the ESA’s Earth Observation Programme, as well as formulating and implementing programmatic and strategic decisions across the Directorate.

Simonetta Cheli has worked at ESA for over three decades and in various roles within the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. Prior to her current role, Cheli served as the head of the Strategy Programme and Coordination Office for Earth Observation, coordinating with international partners in the field of environment and climate, and with ESA Member States and the European Union, managing the Programme Board of Earth Observation and relations with European partners like Eumetsat and ECMWF. She has also headed the Coordination Office for Earth Observation at the headquarters in Paris, as well as public and institutional relations at ESRIN, covering Italy, Spain and Portugal.

A passionate advocate for a stronger European industrial strategy, informed by good environmental practices, Christophe Grudler has been a member of the European Parliament since 2019. In his current role, he supports the acceleration of digitalisation and the need to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in the industry sector. In addition to his committee assignments, he is the shadow rapporteur of the European Industrial Strategy.