Jean-Jacques Dordain
Jean-Jacques Dordain | |
|---|---|
 Dordain in 2006 | |
| 6th Director General of the European Space Agency | |
| In office July 2003 – 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Rodotà |
| Succeeded by | Johann-Dietrich Wörner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1946 (age 79–80) Lille, France |
| Alma mater | École Centrale Paris |
Jean-Jacques Dordain (born 1946) is a French scientist specialising in aerospace. He was director general of the European Space Agency between 2003 and 2015.
Early life and education
Jean-Jacques Dordain was born in Lille, northern France, in 1946.[1]
He graduated from École Centrale Paris in 1968.[1]
Career
Dordain began his scientific career in the French Aerospace Research Agency (ONERA) and later worked as a professor at the National Higher School of Aeronautics and Aerospace in the 1970s and 1980s. He has conducted extensive research in rocket engines and microgravity experiments. He was also a European astronaut candidate.[1]
In 1998 he was executive secretary at the Japanese Space Agency (then NASDA, now JAXA) and later started as director of launchers at ESA, where he became Director General in July 2003.[1]
He also holds the honorary function of Chancellor of the International Space University.[2]
On 1 July 2015, he was succeeded as director general of the ESA by Johann-Dietrich Woerner of Germany.[3]
As of 2025, Dordain heads the board of the Karman Project, a global fellowship program for space industry leaders headquartered in Berlin.[4]
Recognition
In 2019, Dordain was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to complex space systems and leadership of space exploration programs worldwide.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d "Jean-Jacques Dordain". European Space Agency. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Jean-Jacques Dordain Re-Elected as ISU's Chancellor". Space Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Jan Woerner: New director general takes ESA reins". BBC. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Jean-Jacques Dordain FORMER DIRECTOR-GENERAL EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY". The Karman Project. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ "Mr. Jean-Jacques Dordain". National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
External links
- Portrait-interview of l'association odyssée céleste, by Halim Bennadja. (archived; in French)
- Biography of Jean-Jacques Dordain on "Spacefacts"