Physicist heads Italian Space Agency

摘要

Particle physicist Roberto Battiston from the University of Trento has been appointed president of the cash-strapped and demoralized Italian Space Agency (ASI). Previous agency boss Enrico Saggese quit the post in February following the start of corruption investigations against him, with the organization since having been in the hands of a temporary commissioner. Battiston will now attempt to restore confidence in the organization but he will need to find a way of funding Italy's contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) while at the same time financing major domestic missions. His term as president is due to last four years and can be renewed for a further four.