Juan Carlos Cortés is the Director of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE). He was appointed on May 15, 2024, following an open competitive process. Juan Carlos also serves as the Head of the Spanish Delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA) and is the elected Vice President of the ESA Council, as well as the head of the Spanish Delegation in the Administrative Board of the EU Space Agency (EUSPA), and the Spanish representative on the Horizontal Committee of the European Space Program. The AEE is a state agency overseen by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU) and the Ministry of Defense (MINISDEF), aimed at enhancing citizens’ lives through space. Under the presidency of Minister Diana Morant (MICIU), the Agency integrates and coordinates space activities in Spain. The AEE is the expert body to promote and coordinate activities and policies oriented at research, technological and industrial development, and innovation in the space sector, including the coordination of defense space programs. Among the Agency’s main objectives are contributing to national security, promoting bilateral or multilateral cooperation agreements with other stakeholders, drafting a proposal for the Spanish Space Law, preparing a National Space Policy proposal, and designing and coordinating a National Space Strategy. Juan Carlos has an extensive professional career spanning over thirty-five years. He is an expert in R&D management and a specialist in the aerospace sector and dual-use programs. In various executive positions, Juan Carlos has been responsible for advancing Spanish contributions and leadership in space programs since 2004, playing a catalytic role in developing the Spanish Space Sector across all areas, from science and exploration to technology, industry, and applications, both bilaterally and multilaterally. As the Director of International Programs at the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), he was responsible for promoting and managing Spain’s participation in the EU R&D Program, in technological cooperation initiatives in Europe (EUREKA) and Latin America (IBEROEKA), as well as in major scientific infrastructures (CERN, ITER…). He was tasked with strengthening, expanding, and further developing CDTI’s international network. He began his professional career in 1990, after spending several years in the private sector in the aerospace field. He joined the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) as a flight test engineer, working on the Eurofighter Program, the development of remotely operated aircraft (drones), and at the Logistics Center for Armament and Experimentation (CLAEX) of the Spanish Air Force. Juan Carlos is Aeronautical Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), specializing in aircraft and propulsion, and has a master’s degree in Business Management. He has completed the Executive Development Program at the Institute of Higher Business Studies (IESE/PDD) and is a graduate of the Higher Center for National Defense Studies (CESEDEN) in the National Defense Course, in addition to being certified in program management and innovation. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of FIDAMC (Foundation for the Research of Composite Materials). He currently sits on the boards of directors of both Hispasat S.A. and Hisdesat S.A. In March of this year, he was appointed Chair of the ESA Council, taking effect in July 2026.