Klein Lecture in Aerospace

This series of lectures is given in memory of Professor Arthur Louis "Maj" Klein (1898-1983), a faculty member of GALCIT from 1929 until his death. In addition to his significant contributions as a teacher of aeronautical engineering, Klein was responsible for the engineering and building of the GALCIT 10-foot wind tunnel and made significant contributions to aircraft design.

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 1:00 PM
Location: Lees-Kubota Lecture Hall
Speaker: Dr. Jean-Yves Le Gall, Centre National d'Études Spatiales

The French Space Agency CNES: Inventing the Future of Space

Created in 1961, the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) is responsible for proposing and implementing space policy in France. It is involved in all aspects of space (Launchers Ariane, Sciences, Observation, Telecommunications, Defense) through its four centers of excellence in Paris, Toulouse and French Guiana, with 2,450 employees and a budget of more than 2.3m (2017). As such, CNES plays a key role in the French, European and international space arena, driving initiatives, stimulating new proposals and providing technical expertise to support the design, development and operation of space systems.

While some programs remain within national boundaries, many more would not see the light of day were it not for international partnerships. CNES represents France on the European Space Agency's Council and is also a partner in several commercial enterprises, giving government support to strategic activities and maintains strong links with research organizations. Founded to implement France's space policy and true to its vocation, CNES is constantly reinventing space.

Dr. Jean-Yves Le Gall

Centre National d'Études Spatiales

Jean-Yves Le Gall is President of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, since 2013. In this capacity, he is Interministerial Coordinator for satellite navigation programs and Chair of the Administrative Board of the European GNSS Agency. He is also Co-Chair of the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) and President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

Born in 1959, Jean-Yves Le Gall is a qualified engineer and scientist who has devoted his entire career to the European space program, holding positions within the French national scientific research agency CNRS, several French ministries, at Novespace and a first stint with CNES before joining Starsem and Arianespace for 12 years, where he was CEO then Chairman & CEO.

He received the Astronautics Prize from the French Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AAAF) in 2001. He was named Via Satellite magazine's 2005 Satellite Executive of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from the Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC). In 2011, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SPPI). In 2014, he received a Laureate Award from Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.

Jean-Yves Le Gall holds the rank of Officer in both the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit in France. He has also been awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, by the government of Japan.