Simonetta Di Pippo is Professor of Practice of Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab (SEE Lab), SDA Bocconi and visiting professor of practice at NYUAD. From 2014 to 2022 she was Director of UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs). Astrophysicist by training (Università "La Sapienza"), she was awarded with two honoris causa degrees, in Environmental Studies and a PhD in International Affairs. Author of ‘Space Economy – the new frontier for development’ - Bocconi University Press. She served as Director of Human Spaceflight at ESA, Director of the Observation of the Universo at the Italian Space Agency  and led the 'European Space Policy Observatory at ASI-Brussels.

She is an Academician of IAA (International Academy of Astronautics) and member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on space since 2016. In 2009, she founded Women in Aerospace Europe and in 2017 she became UN International Gender Champion.

In 2008, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named asteroid 21887 "dipippo" in recognition of her contributions to space exploration. First woman to receive the Hubert Curien award. In 2006, the Presidente della Repubblica Carlo Azeglio Ciampi awarded her with the title of Cavaliere Ufficiale, and in 2022 Presidente Mattarella with the title of Commendatore. In 2022, she has been included in the Hall of Fame of the International Astronautical Federation, the President of Austria awarded her with the Grand Decoration of Honour with Gold, and the Japanese Government with the Order of the Rising Sun.

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