Adelaide (September 27, 2017) – Dr. Francisco Javier Mendieta-Jiminez, General Director of the Mexican Space Agency, was today elected Chair of World Space Week Association. Mendieta is the first head of a space agency to lead the Association.
“We are deeply honored to elect Dr. Mendieta as our new Chair,” said Max Grimard, outgoing Chair of the Association. “Under his leadership, the Mexican Space Agency has dramatically expanded the number of World Space Week to inspire students across Mexico. This is a great example for the world.”
Dr. Christopher Welch was elected Deputy Chair, it was also announced today. Dr. Welch directs the masters program of International Space University.
UN-declared World Space Week is celebrated October 4-10 annually. A total of 2,800 events were reported in 86 countries during World Space Week in 2016, according to the Association.
The theme for World Space Week 2017 is “Exploring New Worlds in Space.” For more information on World Space Week, including planned events for October 4-10 around the world, visit www.worldspaceweek.org.
Chair: Francisco Javier Mendieta-Jiménez, Ph.D.
Francisco Javier Mendieta-Jimenez is the General Director of the Mexican Space Agency. Prior to his appointment, he was involved in development projects on applications of optical fibers to electrical power systems at the Institute for Electrical Research, Mexico. Mendieta-Jiminez previously served as Director of the Applied Physics Division and General Director of the Center for Scientific Research and High Education of Ensenada, Baja, California (CICESE), where he formed the optical communications group and laboratory and lead diverse research and development projects on optical telecommunications, free space optical satellite communications and detection. He was a candidate astronaut for the Space Shuttle program, and leader in CICESE of the SATEX 1 Project, which was a coordinated national effort to develop human resources in space sciences around a microsatellite project. Mendieta-Jiminez has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from National University of Mexico and his Certificate of Higher Studies and Doctor of Engineering degree from the National Superior School of Telecommunications, France, in the field of Optical Telecommunications.
Vice Chair: Christopher Welch, Ph.D.
Chris Welch is Professor of Space Engineering at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, where he is also Director of Masters Programs. Dr Welch is a Vice President of International Astronautical Federation and a member of European Commission H2020 Space Advisory Committee. His research interests are in space propulsion, microgravity science and planetary exploration. He has extensive media experience and a significant track record in both space education and outreach and higher education, receiving the 2009 Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Space Education and 2015 IAF Distinguished Service Award. Dr Welch is Vice-President of the British Interplanetary Society, of which he is a Fellow, and is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Royal Astronomical Society. He sits on a number of boards including the Arts Catalyst and the Initiative for Interstellar Studies. He has PhD in Spacecraft Engineering (Cranfield University), an MSc in Experimental Space Physics (University of Leicester) and a BSc in Physics (Cardiff University). He has published more than 90 papers in journals, book chapters and conferences.
About World Space Week
The largest space event on Earth, UN-declared World Space Week is celebrated October 4-10 annually. It is an international celebration of the contribution of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. World Space Week consists of a myriad of space-related events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs in a common timeframe to achieve greater student and public impact through synchronization.
About World Space Week Association
World Space Week Association is the global coordinator of World Space Week. WSWA is an international non-government, non-profit organization incorporated in the United States in 1982. It is led by a Board comprised of global space leaders and dignitaries, an executive team that manages operations, and volunteers that support them. The Association is permanent observer on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and is supported by voluntary contributions of sponsors including Lockheed Martin.