The Board of Directors of the State Society of Industrial Participations (SEPI) will propose Pedro Duque tomorrow as the new director of Hispasat, as confirmed yesterday by government sources.
It is the formal step prior to the well-known astronaut and Prime Minister of Science and Innovation of the Government of Pedro Sánchez being appointed the new president of the Spanish satellite company, replacing Jordi Hereu, current Minister of Industry and Tourism, a formality that must subsequently ratify the Hispasat Council. Where Sepi is present, with 7.41% of the property, the Center for Industrial Technological Development (Cedeti), with 2.91% and Redeia, also owner of Red Eléctrica de España, which holds 89.68%. of Hispasat and which is also participated by Sepi.
The first Spaniard to travel to space was one of the star signings of Pedro Sánchez’s first government in June 2018 when the President of the Government opted to form an Executive with a strong presence of independent ministers whose most emblematic figure was that of the astronaut.
In his first stage in the ministry, Duque was in charge of not only Science, but also Innovation and Universities. But this last responsibility declined in January 2020, when Manuel Castell, representative of Podemos, assumed the Universities portfolio.
Even so, Duque’s time at the head of the Ministry was marked by a fierce defense of the conditions of scientists in Spain and their training. He increased investment in Science by 60% and designed the Innovation programs financed with the help of European Union funds, as well as the Pact for Innovation and Science to promote education, which he did not manage to execute. He left the Government in the Government crisis that Sánchez carried out in June 2021, when he was replaced by Diana Morant.
His arrival at Hispasat was preceded by a message on the social network X hours before his appointment was leaked, referring to a prediction by British scientist Arthur Clarke on the BBC about the role of satellites in changing the world.
From now on, he will have in his hands the challenge of managing the direction of this advance at a strategic moment for Spain. Duque must promote the role of the Spanish Space Agency in the European framework, as well as point out the candidacy for the development of the European satellite constellation, Iris, to guarantee the autonomy and security of connectivity in Europe. In his hands will also be the Conectate 35 strategy to bring Internet via satellite to rural areas where fiber does not reach. Without forgetting the strategic Defense projects in which Hispasat participates with partners such as Indra.
The company also has on the agenda the replacement of Constantino Méndez, director representing Redeia and recently deceased. In this case, sector sources hope that her seat will be occupied by a woman so that Hispasat advances in female representation on its board, which is currently at 16.5%, very far from the 40% that as of Now it will be mandatory.
