Simonetta Di Pippo is an Italian astrophysicist and former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Dr. Di Pippo is currently the Director at the SEElab and a Professor of Practice of Space Economy – SDA Bocconi — School of Management.
Prior to joining UNOOSA, she was the Director of Human Spaceflight at ESA, Director of the Observation of the Universe at the Italian Space Agency and led the European Space Policy Observatory at ASI-Brussels.
She holds a master’s degree in Astrophysics and Space Physics from University La Sapienza, and an Honoris Causa Degree in Environmental Studies, and an Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor in International Affairs.
In 2018, she was awarded the Hubert Curien Award and in 2022 IAF included her in the Hall of Fame. She has been included in the 2024 Forbes list 50 over 50. Asteroid 21887 has been named ‘dipippo’ by IAU.