UN OOSA Director Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo - On her Career, the work of UN OOSA and how to Succeed in the Space Sector

The Road to Becoming the Director of UN OOSA

Ms. Di Pippo started her career in the space sector when she found, by chance, a small advertisement in the newspaper for a position at the predecessor of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). This position saw her travel the world to develop and create new cooperation projects with agencies in other countries, including; Japan, Russia, Canada, the US and later also India and South Korea. In 2002, she was appointed the Director for the Observation of the Universe at ASI, placing her in charge of the Italian space science projects and cooperation with ESA, NASA, JAXA and ROSCOSMOS. This included responsibilities for the Italian Astronauts at the International Space Station.

This position perfectly prepared her for the position as Director of Human Spaceflight at ESA in 2008. A role where she oversaw the European contribution to the ISS, European astronauts and exploration activities. After her contract at ESA had ended, Ms. Di Pippo returned to ASI and opened the ASI office in Brussels. To open an office in Brussels at that time made sense, because the Lisbon Treaty had recently been adopted, the EU Space Policy had been issued and Galileo, Copernicus and Horizon2020 had been approved.

With the experience she gained working for ASI, a national space agency, and ESA, a regional space agency, the next logical step was UN OOSA, the world’s space office. At UN OOSA the years she spent working on a high level in international relations proved essential, and as Director she can now do what she does best, connecting the dots and putting people together.  

The work of UN OOSA: UNISPACE+50 and Promoting a Clear Legal Framework for Space Activities 

Next year, UN OOSA is organising UNISPACE+50, a special segment of the annual session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in June 2018. At this event the world will come together to adopt a global space agenda to guide international efforts until 2030. Ms. Di Pippo emphasises that the vision set forth in this document must go beyond 2030, and should address the next 50 years of challenges in space activities - and at the same time be in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

An important aspect of the work being conducted in advance of UNISPACE +50, is to identify how to encourage global partnerships and a clear legal framework for space exploration and innovation. There is a desire in the broader space sector, including in the private sector, to have the human species become a multi-planetary species. It is better that this happens under a framework that is structured, with clear rules that will be applied and guidelines that will be followed. Together with COPUOS, the UN OOSA is the appropriate platform to discuss such a framework.

UN OOSA’s Role in Linking Space to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Ms. Di Pippo also leads UN OOSA’s work in coordinating efforts to ensure that space is a tool for sustainable development here on Earth. By matching projects and initiatives directly with one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is demonstrated how crucial space is for ensuring sustainable development on Earth. This also helps Member States, because it provides a structured approach to the use of space for the fulfilment of the SDGs. While relevant for all of the SDGs, space will have a stronger impact on certain SDG’s, such as the use of land, the preservation of forests and climate actions. However, it can also have a strong impact on others such as quality education, partnership or peace & prosperity.

While UN OOSA has become an essential tool for space as a driver for development, Di Pippo acknowledges that there is also room for improvement. There are areas where UN OOSA is active, but perhaps not focused enough - yet. For example, for SDG Nr. 5; the empowerment of women, UN OOSA did not have a specific action. However, Member States pushed to create an initiative to promote STEM education for women, and in particular for women in developing countries. In response, the UN OOSA is starting a project to promote opportunities for women in the space sector in agreement with Member States. This is a medium- to long-term project, and a new way of capacity building aiming at creating quality education. Furthermore, Di Pippo can also be seen as a personal champion for an initiative that has long conducted activities relevant for SDG. Nr. 5, namely - the Women in Aerospace Europe organisation.

Women in Aerospace – Encouraging Young Women and Bridging the Gender Gap

When Ms. Di Pippo was appointed as ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight in 2008, she was the first female Director at ESA. As such, she felt there was still a need for helping young females move ahead in their careers by creating a platform providing direct access to senior women as mentors. Therefore, she co-founded Women in Aerospace Europe.

She was surprised to learn that new members of the Association, especially the youngest, mainly ask for two training courses; public speaking and self-confidence. The lack of self-confidence surprised her, and she found that it was often a result of the social environment and certain expectations. Women have to find a balance between private and public life, they are trapped between society’s view to be a good mother and a good professional. In her view, however, you are primarily a good person, then you are automatically a good mother, good colleague, good friend, etc. Each of us needs to find this balance, and gain confidence in whatever role we assume. What further astonished her, was that someone said to her: “I want to be like you”. To that she answered: “No you cannot be like me, you have to be yourself and discover your own strengths and weaknesses”. Recently, she decided to step back and no longer be involved with the day-to day running of the organisation, but to let the organisation stand on its own. It was time for younger professionals to take the leadership of this important association!

Ms. Di Pippo’s advice for Succeeding in the Space Sector - Be Hungry for Knowledge, Interdisciplinary and Patient for the Right Opportunity

Ms. Di Pippo holds a Degree in Astro-and Space Physics from Sapienza University of Rome. While she ended up in a career where policy, law and international relations dominates, she still thinks her education serves her well. Especially, as it gives her an understanding of the technological and scientific aspects of conducting space activities. For example, she can point out to colleagues a technical inaccuracy in a paper or a project. Her background as an Astrophysicist is thus very important. But, it is equally important to keep your knowledge up-to-date. Therefore, she continues to read, watch videos, visit centres and talk to people and learn as much as she can.

Di Pippo emphasises that it is a clear advantage to be interdisciplinary. It is no longer the time to have a clear single specialised field. Instead, everything is becoming more and more interconnected. For example, you cannot do research in space if you do not know a bit of biology, you cannot become a good scientist without understanding organisations, businesses and administrations, perhaps a Master of Business Administration type of knowledge. So, if you start from the space law and policy side, look to the technical and management side for opportunities to enhance your knowledge, and the other way around. Having a broader skillset is the key for the future.

Furthermore, everyone can experience negative events or lulls in their career. Those are experiences you should learn from. Sometimes, and sometimes not even by your own choice, you need to wait for the right opportunity. In the meanwhile, build the skills you need to take on the challenges ahead!

The opinions expressed in this article is that of the subject(s) interviewed, and not the ECSL or ESA. Written by: Vincent Seffinga. Edited by: Mari Eldholm.