Jean-Jacques Dordain was Director General of the European Space Agency between 2003 and 2015. He began his scientific career in the French Aerospace Research Agency (ONERA) and later worked as a professor at the National Higher School of Aeronautics and Aerospace in the 1970s and 1980s. Jean-Jacques has conducted extensive research in rocket engines and microgravity experiments. He was also a European astronaut candidate.
In 1998 he was Executive Secretary at the Japanese Space Agency (then NASDA, now JAXA) and later started as Director of Launchers at ESA, where he became Director General in July 2003.
He also holds the honorary function of Chancellor of the International Space University.