New Director for ESA

Johann-Dietrich Woerner is the new Director General of The European Space Agency (ESA).

Mr Woerner – former chief of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center – has taken up duty at ESA Headquarters in Paris for an initial period of four years. He will continue his predecessor’s – Jean-Jacques Dordain – programmes, projects and missions.

“I am in the favourable position to nurture the seeds of Jean-Jacques Dordain’s work,” said Woerner.

The new Director General will guide and support the existing European space activities but also adapt ESA to be able to tackle current and future challenges. He will aim to make ESA and its policy more transparent, approachable and open for suggestions. Woerner believes new roles and new relationships are needed to enter the new era of space endeavour.

In his blog, Woerner said: “While we are observing a tendency in the European Union to focus more and more on national interests, it is my determination to strengthen the European spirit in ESA, consisting of the staff, the executive and the member states at the same time.”