The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, today chaired the meeting of the Governing Council of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), which appointed Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido as director of the Agency, based in Seville. The minister highlighted that the appointment of Cortés “represents a decisive step in the consolidation of the AEE as the coordinating center for all Spanish space activities, both nationally and internationally, and where we are going to promote and promote, from space, the scientific and technical research”.
Morant has also stressed that, until now, Cortés’ work “has been key in the promotion, strengthening and development of the space sector in Spain to improve our positioning and influence in international organizations.” Likewise, he has highlighted his extensive professional career of more than 30 years as an expert in R&D&I management and a specialist in the aerospace sector.
Juan Carlos Cortés is an aeronautical engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and until now, he served as Director of Programs and Industry at PREPA.
Last April he was appointed vice-president of the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA). Currently, he is also the head of the Spanish Delegation at ESA, of which he has been a member since 1996.
Previously, he has held different positions at the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) as director of Space, Large Scientific Facilities and Dual Programs (2018-2023), Director of International Programs/European Programs, Space and Returns (2013- 2018), Director of Global Innovative Markets (2010-2013), Director of Aeronautics and Space (2009-2010), Head of the Aeronautics Department (2005-2009) and Head of the Programs Department of the European Space Agency (2004-2005) .
It has been involved in community space activity from the beginning, in the drafting of its strategy, in the definition of the 2021-27 space program and in the ESA/EC agreements for its execution (“Financial Framework Partnership Agreement”, FFPA).
Between 1992-1996, he worked at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) as head of the unmanned aircraft launch systems program and researcher in various international programs related to the stability, control, qualities and performances of aircraft flights. .
Director selection process
In January the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities opened a public call for the presentation of candidates, which have been evaluated by a selection committee formed by the president of the COTEC Foundation, Cristina Garmendia; the director of the E-USOC (Space Operations Support Center) and professor at the UPM, Ana Laverón; the Artillery Brigade General and Doctor in Political Science, Miguel Ángel Ballesteros; the General Director of Hispasat and member of the Spanish Association of Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space Technologies (TEDAE), Ana María Molina; the director of the Astrophysical Institute of the Canary Islands, Rafael Rebolo López; and the Lieutenant General of the Air Force, Ignacio Bengoechea.
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