Simonetta Di Pippo

UNOOSA Director, Simonetta Di Pippo

Simonetta Di Pippo (Rome, born in 1959) is an Italian astrophysicist and the current Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).[1] As UNOOSA Director Ms. Di Pippo is enhancing international cooperation to promote the benefits of outer space for humanity. Ms. Di Pippo has a long and outstanding career dealing for more than 30 years with aerospace affairs. Thanks to the merits acquired through the commitment shown for the development of scientific researches and space technologies and applications, she has been knighted by the President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, in 2006. In addition, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named asteroid 21887 "dipippo" as a recognition of her contribution to space exploration.

Biography

After having graduated with a Master’s degree in Astrophysics and Space Physics from the University "La Sapienza"[2] in Rome, Italy in 1984, Ms. Di Pippo joined the Italian Space Agency (ASI)[3] in 1986. Her responsibilities ranged from Earth Observation to Automation & Robotics, Science and Human Spaceflight and in 2002 she took up duty as Director of the ASI's Observation of the Universe. From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Di Pippo served as Director of Human Spaceflight at the European Space Agency (ESA),[4] before returning to ASI to lead the European Space Policy Observatory at ASI-Brussels until March 2014.

Ms. Di Pippo co-founded, in June 2009, Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E)[5] and has acted as President since then. The association aims to expand the representation and leadership of women in the aerospace sector. Since April 2013 she has been a member of the Global Board Ready Women (GBRW), the list of potential top managers created by European Business Schools in the framework of the Women on Board initiative. In 2013 she received an Honoris Causa Degree in Environmental Studies from the St. John University in Vinovo (TO). Still in 2013, she was appointed Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Author of 1 book and co-author of three books, of more than 60 publications, more than 700 articles and interviews on magazines and newspapers, members and President of scientific committees of international congresses, member and President of scientific awards’ jury, she has invited to teach at various Universities, including the George Washington University in Washington D.C. and the LUISS-Business School in Rome. Ms. Di Pippo was knighted by the President of the Italian Republic in 2006 and, in 2008, the International Astronomical Union assigned the name "dipippo" to asteroid 21887, in recognition of her effort in space exploration.

Simonetta Di Pippo was appointed Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in March 2014. Ms. Di Pippo leads the Office's strategies, policies and activities, ensuring that they are implemented in accordance with the mandates of the General Assembly, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), and the established policies of the United Nations. Ms. Di Pippo advises the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director-General of UNOV and provides expertise on matters relating to the peaceful uses of outer space, and the use of space science and technology for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. She is considered one of the most expert worldwide leaders in international cooperation in the aerospace sector.”

In 2015 Ms. Di Pippo became a member of the IAA Board of Trustees, which is the governing body of Astronautics (IAA), where she chaired the study "Public/Private Human Access to Space", which considered future commercial human spaceflight. Ms. Di Pippo is also currently a member of the jury of the Hubert Curien award of Eurisy, which recognises outstanding efforts to help society benefit from space.

In 2016 the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics awarded Ms. Di Pippo its International Cooperation Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed extensively to international cooperation in space activities.

Awards and Honours

Publications

References

  1. ↑ http://www.unoosa.org/
  2. ↑ http://www.uniroma1.it/
  3. ↑ http://www.asi.it/en
  4. ↑ http://www.esa.int/ESA
  5. ↑ http://wia-europe.org/
  6. ↑ http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/Onorificenze.aspx?pag=0&qIdOnorificenza=59&cognome=di%20pippo&nome=simonetta&daAnno=1800&aAnno=2011&luogoNascita=roma&testo=&ordinamento=ODE_COGNOME
  7. ↑ http://www.centrostudisebetia-ter.org/elenco-premiati.html
  8. ↑ http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=21887
  9. ↑ http://www.uai.it/web/guest/associazione/premio_lacchini
  10. ↑ http://www.womeninaerospace.org/news/09-19-2012_1.html
  11. ↑ http://www.womentech.eu/index.php/womentech-2010/premio-qle-tecnovisionarierq-2010-bio-e-nanotech-giuria-e-vincitrici.html
  12. ↑ http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/hsf_directors_corner/SEM88VHSBKG_0.html
  13. ↑ http://www.profilodonna.com/premi/edizioni/2011/premiate.asp

External links

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