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    • Welcome to ESA
    • History of Europe in space
    • ELDO/ESRO/ESA:
      Key dates 1960-2012
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    • Download
    • Bulletin 119: The ESA History Project
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    • A History of the European Space Agency, Volume I:
      The story of ESRO and ELDO, 1958-1973 (pdf)
    • A History of the European Space Agency, Volume II:
      The story of ESA, 1973-1987 (pdf)

    ESA > About Us > Welcome to ESA > ESA history

    Past Director Generals of ESA

    Roy Gibson 

    Roy Gibson Roy Gibson was a Director General of ESRO, and the first Director General of ESA, serving from 1975 until 1980.

    Erik Quistgaard 

    Erik Quistgaard Erik Quistgaard was the second Director General of ESA, serving from 1980 until 1984.

    Reimar Lüst 

    Reimar Lüst Prof. Dr Reimar Lüst was the third Director General of ESA, serving from 1984 until 1990.

    Jean-Marie Luton 

    Jean-Marie Luton Jean-Marie Luton was the fourth Director General of ESA, serving from 1990 until 1997.

    Antonio Rodotà 

    Antonio Rodotà Antonio Rodotà was the fifth Director General of ESA, serving from 1997 until 2003. He died in Rome on 23 February 2006, aged 70.

    Last update: 16 July 2009

    • Past Directors General of ESA
      • Roy Gibson
        • Erik Quistgaard
          • Reimar Lüst
            • Jean-Marie Luton
              • Antonio Rodotà
              • ESRO Directors General
                • Pierre Auger
                  • Herman Bondi
                    • Alexander Hocker
                      • Roy Gibson
                      • ELDO Secretaries General
                        • Renzo Carrobio di Carrobio
                          • Robert Aubinière
                            • George Van Reeth

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