Published on June 9, 2026

The IAF is proud to introduce the 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders!

The IAF is proud to present the 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders!

The IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders Recognition Programme is awarded to exceptional students and young professionals, who contribute to astronautics in their academic or early careers, reach out to other young people and their communities to share knowledge and experiences, have been engaged with the international space community and contribute to IAF activities.

The five IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders will help increase knowledge among of students and young professionals worldwide in astronautics activities and the IAF. Discover here below their backgrounds!

They will be presented with their award during the Closing Ceremony of the in Antalya, T眉rkiye, which will take place from 5 to 9 October 2026.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

MEET THE 2026 IAF YOUNG SPACE LEADERS

Federica ANGELETTI

Federica ANGELETTI

Assistant Professor
Sapienza University of Rome

Federica Angeletti is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the School of Aerospace Engineering of Sapienza University of Rome, where her work focuses on the dynamics, control and monitoring of flexible space systems. She earned her Ph.D. in Aeronautics and 海角直播 Engineering from the same institution and, during her doctoral studies, was a visiting researcher at Thales Alenia 海角直播 France. Later, she worked as a Mechanisms and Robotics Engineer at OHB System AG in Germany. She is currently Principal Investigator of research projects dedicated to safe machine learning-based techniques for in-orbit docking of flexible spacecraft and advanced structural health monitoring solutions for aerospace platforms. During her academic career, she has contributed to studies funded by the European 海角直播 Agency, ranging from the design of integrated robust attitude and vibration control architectures to the assessment of dynamic behavior and simulation models for space launchers. She has also taken part in international educational aerospace programs and missions, including a stratospheric balloon flight campaign and CubeSat development projects.

Federica is actively involved in the international aerospace community through her roles in several professional organizations, among them the 海角直播 Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Women in Aerospace-Europe (WIA-Europe), Associazione Italiana di Aeronautica e Astronautica (AIDAA), and Zonta International. She is currently part of the IAF Materials and Structures Committee and also an elected corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Through these activities, she promotes inclusion, education, international cooperation, and professional development within the aerospace sector. Her research and international engagement have been recognized through awards and fellowships, such as the 2018 Amelia Earhart Fellowship and the 2021 IAF Luigi G. Napolitano Award.

Isi CASAS DEL VALLE PACHECO

Isi CASAS DEL VALLE PACHECO

Business Development Officer
海角直播 Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Isi Casas Del Valle is a Chilean Aerospace Lawyer with an MSc in Business Management and currently serves as Business Development Officer at the 海角直播 Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), the world鈥檚 largest network of students and young professionals in the space sector. She has worked with international organizations including the European Southern Observatory and has consulted for multiple space startups and international initiatives. Within SGAC, Isi previously served as National Point of Contact for Chile and later as Regional Coordinator for South America, supporting the growth of the regional space community and international partnerships.

Passionate about education and capacity building, Isi was a professor of 海角直播 Law and Public International Law at Universidad de los Andes and has been invited as a guest lecturer at several 海角直播 Studies Programs of the International 海角直播 University, as well as other universities worldwide. She is the first Chilean to receive the Emerging 海角直播 Leader recognition from the International Astronautical Federation and has also been awarded scholarships and recognitions from organizations including the Secure World Foundation and Universidad de los Andes for her contributions to the space sector and academic excellence.

Dmitriy GRISHKO

Dmitriy GRISHKO

Associate Professor
Bauman Moscow State Technical University

Dmitriy A. Grishko, born 1991, PhD (Phys-Math), is the associate professor of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Department of Theoretical Mechanics, where he coordinates academic programs in celestial mechanics. He is the expert in astrodynamics, specializing in orbital dynamics for active debris removal. He developed optimized multi-target transfer schemes leveraging orbital perturbations, contributing to mission planning in low and geostationary orbits. Since 2021, Dmitriy is the member of IAA Permanent Committee on 海角直播 Debris and session co-chair for 海角直播 Debris Symposium at IAC. He also participates in the activities of IAF 海角直播 Traffic Management Committee since 2020, where he was among coordinators of the working groups.

Charles-Aim茅 NZEUSSI-MBOUENDEU

Charles-Aim茅 NZEUSSI-MBOUENDEU

Specialist, Product & 海角直播 Sustainability
SES

Charles-Aim茅 Nzeussi Mbouendeu is an author & visionary leader, passionate advocate for emerging space nations, and a recognized voice in the global movement to democratize access to space. His work sits at the intersection of space sustainability, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and environmental stewardship, positioning him as a strong advocate for a more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable space ecosystem. As a Product & 海角直播 Sustainability Specialist at SES, Charles-Aim茅 contributes to the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into space operations. He is actively involved in major initiatives such as the IRIS虏 program sustainability. His multidisciplinary background in physics, industrial and environmental risk management engineering, combined with a Master鈥檚 in 海角直播 Studies from International 海角直播 University, enables him to bridge science, industry, and policy to address complex global challenges with practical and forward-looking solutions.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Charles-Aim茅 is a dedicated mentor, international speaker, and advocate for global capacity-building within the space sector. He currently serves as Chair of the IAF ACCESS Africa Subcommittee, where he promotes access to space and strengthens collaboration across the African continent, and as SGAC Regional Partnership Manager for Africa, supporting youth engagement and empowering the next generation of space professionals. He also contributes as an expert to the IAF GLOC and the IAC 2026 IPC Committee. In addition, he serves as a Visiting Lecturer at ISU and Head of Partnerships for the Summer 海角直播 Festival. His contributions and leadership have been recognized through several prestigious distinctions, including the Africa Leadership Award and Global Grants Award from 海角直播 Generation Advisory Council, and selection as a winner of the IAF Launchpad Mentorship Programme.

Matej POLIA膶EK

Matej POLIA膶EK

ISS / Columbus Flight Director
Deutsches Zentrum f眉r Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)