Roberto Battiston in the firmament of Astronautics

PHOTO Marco Tortoli (Wikipedia)

Professor Roberto Battiston, born in Trento in 1956, is an experimental physicist, specialized in the field of fundamental physics and elementary particles, one of the world’s leading experts on cosmic rays.

A member of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler Board since February 15, 2019, former President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and professor of experimental physics at the University of Trento, he will be awarded the Hall of Fame Award by the International Federation of Astronautics (IAF). The prestigious award is intended for those who have substantially contributed to the progress of space science and technology and to the impacts of space on humanity. The award-giving ceremony will be held in Washington on October 25, 2019, during the closing of the 70th International Astronautics Congress (IAC).

Battiston is the second Italian to be admitted; so far the only one to have had this recognition is Paolo Ferri, head of flight operations of the European Space Agency (ESA). The IAF has awarded the Hall of Fame to only 20 people including Edward Stone, NASA scientist responsible for the Voyager missions, Manfred Fuchs founder of OHB, well-known German space industry and Charles Bolden, astronaut and former NASA Administrator.

Short bio
In addition to directing the ASI from 2014 to 2018, relaunching the Italian space activity at national and international level, and having chaired the National Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) dedicated to the physics of astroparticles from 2009 to 2014, Professor Roberto Battiston has a long career in space research, having coordinated with Professor Samuel C.C. Ting, Nobel Prize winner for physics, the development of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the experiment on the International Space Station dedicated to antimatter research, and has been the Head of the Italian-Chinese collaboration on the Chinese CSES satellite with the Limadou experiment, dedicated to the search for innovative techniques for seismic monitoring from space.
For his research, Battiston has been awarded the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor and won the Vladimir Syromniatnikov prize. He has been awarded the title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by President Mattarella.