Paolo Ferri

Born in Milano (Italy) on 3rd September 1959, studied Theoretical Physics at the University of Pavia (Italy).

1984 started working at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in germany, as visiting scientist on the operations of the ExoSat X-ray astronomy satellite.

1986 he moved to the field of mission operations, working on Eureca, a microgravity science satellite.

1996 he became spacecraft operations manager for Cluster, four satellites that were lost on the maiden flight of the Ariane-5 launcher. He moved to the Rosetta comet rendezvous mission, which he followed until its end in September 2016.

From 2006 to 2012 he was Head of the Solar and Planetary Missions Division, responsible for mission operations preparation and execution for missions in the solar system, including Mars Express, Venus Express, BepiColombo, ExoMars, Solar Orbiter and Rosetta.

From 2013 to 2020 he was Head of the Mission Operations Department, responsible for the ground segment and mission operations of all unmanned space missions of the European Space Agency.

He is currently active is training, education and outreach activities.

He is member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

2015 he was the first Italian inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Astronautical Federation.

2020 the President of the Italian Republic awarded him the Honour of Cavaliere dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica.

He is married and has two grown-up children.