Dr Josef Aschbacher became the ESA Director General on 1 March 2021. In 2023, his
mandate as Director General was approved for a further period of four years as from
1 March 2025. 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
