Eleni Paliouras has been working in the space sector for over 35 years and has extensive experience in Earth Observation, European institutional relations, and international cooperation. She currently serves as Head of the Strategy, Programme and Coordination Office in the Earth Observation Programme Directorate of the European Space Agency (ESA), a role she has held since January 2023.
After joining ESA in 2009 as a User expert for the Copernicus Space Office in Frascati Italy, Eleni served from 2011 to 2022, as Senior EU Relations Coordinator in ESA’s Brussels Office, where she worked to strengthen ESA’s cooperation with the European Union Institutions.
Prior to that, Eleni spent nearly a decade at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, where her activities included leading an international consortia contributing to what would eventually become operational Copernicus atmospheric services.
Her career began in the United States, working in digital imaging and satellite image quality at Eastman Kodak and Itek Optical Systems, as well as research roles at the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research in Boulder.
Eleni holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences (University of Colorado), an M.S. in Imaging Science, and a B.S. in International Business and Finance.