Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido has served as Director of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) since 15 May 2024, following an open and competitive selection process. He is also Head of the Spanish Delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA) and has been Chariman of the ESA Council since 1 July 2026, becoming the second Spaniard to hold this position in the institution’s highest governing body. He also serves as Head of the Spanish Delegation to the Administrative Board of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and as Spain’s representative on the Horizontal Committee of the European Space Programme. In these roles, he has played an active part in shaping European space policy, including the definition of the European Space Programme 2021–2027 and the cooperation agreements between ESA and the European Commission (EC) for its implementation.
The Spanish Space Agency is a state agency attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the Ministry of Defence (MINISDEF). Its mission is to improve citizens’ lives through space. Chaired by Minister Diana Morant, the Agency integrates and coordinates space activities in Spain.
The AEE is the expert body responsible for promoting and coordinating activities and policies related to research, technological and industrial development, and innovation in the space sector, including the coordination of defence space programmes. Its main objectives include contributing to national security, promoting cooperation agreements, preparing a proposal for a Spanish Space Act, developing a proposal for a National Space Policy, and designing and coordinating a National Space Strategy.
Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido has more than thirty-five years of professional experience. He is an expert in R&D management and a specialist in the aerospace sector and dual-use programmes. Since 2004, through various executive positions, he has been responsible for driving Spain’s contributions and leadership in space programmes, playing a catalytic role in the development of the Spanish space sector across all areas: science, exploration, technology, industry and applications, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
As Director of International Programmes at the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI), he was responsible for promoting and managing Spain’s participation in the European Union’s R&D Programme, in technological cooperation initiatives in Europe (EUREKA) and Latin America (IBEROEKA), as well as in major scientific infrastructures such as CERN and ITER. He was also entrusted with strengthening, expanding and further developing CDTI’s international network.
He began his professional career in 1990, after several years in the private aerospace sector. He later joined the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) as a flight test engineer, working on the Eurofighter Programme, the development of remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones) and at the Spanish Air Force’s Logistics Centre for Armament and Experimentation (CLAEX).
He holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), specialising in aircraft and propulsion, and a master’s degree in Business Management. He has completed the Management Development Programme at IESE Business School (IESE/PDD) and holds a qualification from the Spanish Centre for National Defence Studies (CESEDEN), having completed the National Defence Course. He is also certified in programme management and innovation.
He is currently a member of the Boards of Directors of Hispasat S.A. and Hisdesat S.A. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of FIDAMC, the Foundation for Research, Development and Application of Composite Materials.
Speaking
16September
14:20 / 15:00
Les Salons Hoche
Session
Space Agencies Driving Innovation and Operational Support
