Simonetta Di Pippo

Professor of Practice of Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab (SEE Lab), SDA Bocconi

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 served as 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’ and “The Moon, a lab for peace’ - Bocconi University Press. She served as Director of Human Spaceflight at ESA, Director of the Observation of the Universe 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 she was of member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on space 2016 - 2024. In 2009, she founded Women in Aerospace Europe, and currently serves as its Honorary President, and in 2017 she became UN International Gender Champion. She is member of the governing committee of the Osservatorio Metropolitano of Milan, and from May 2023 she is a RINA SPA board member and chairs its ESG committee. From August 2023, she is member of the scientific committee of Criptaliae, aimed at developing the Grottaglie Italian spaceport. From July 2024, she serves as the President of D-Orbit S.p.A. In January 2024, she has been included by Forbes in the 50 over 50 list of top female leaders, and in the same year, she was awarded by the IlSole24ore and the Financial Times with the WE award – Women Excellence, 2024 in the research and education section. Since 2025, she also serves in the Advisory Board of Blue Origin.

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. She is also in 2025 in the list of the Unstoppable women.