Space Y welcomes Daniela Genta as new President

Following the decisions of its General Assembly held on the 20^th of June, Space Y is proud to announce the appointment of Daniela Genta as the new President of the association.

Ms Genta steps into the role following the long-standing leadership of Gard Ueland, who served as President for an extraordinary 23 years. His decision not to seek another mandate comes as he prepares to retire from his position as Senior Vice President of Programs, at Kongsberg Discovery.

A Legacy of Leadership

During his tenure, Mr Ueland played a foundational role in the development of the European downstream space sector. He chaired the General Assembly for the last time on 20 June, where he reflected on the association’s journey, from its creation in 2002 by eight European companies, to its transformation in 2021 into Space Y, broadening its mission to support the full EU Space Programme.

He highlighted key milestones, including the strategic alliance with OREGIN in 2009 and the association’s sustained advocacy for the development of Galileo, Europe’s autonomous GNSS system, whose importance is more evident than ever in today’s geopolitical climate.

“Our strength has always been our ability to adapt and grow in the face of change,” Mr Ueland noted, underscoring the need for stronger European capabilities in a time of growing reliance  on non-European infrastructure for secure communications.

A New Chapter for Space Y

The association now turns a new page with Daniela Genta at the helm. Ms Genta previously served as Vice-President of Space Y and currently leads as Head of European Union and Agencies Affairs at Airbus Defence and Space. Her deep experience in European space affairs and longstanding commitment to Space Y make her ideally placed to guide the association into the future.

“I’m honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for Europe’s space ambitions,” Ms Genta said. “Together, we will continue working to strengthen the European downstream industry and deliver value, resilience, and innovation for Europe.”

Looking Ahead

Mr Ueland will remain close to the association as Honorary President, continuing to offer guidance and support as Space Y advances its mission.

The members of Space Y warmly thank both Mr Ueland and Ms Genta for their passion and commitment. With strong leadership and a unified vision, the association will continue to drive progress, promote autonomy, and ensure that space delivers economic, strategic, and societal benefits for Europe.