Spain’s First Astronaut, Pedro Duque, Named IEEE Honorary Member

Pedro Duque, Spain’s first astronaut and a former Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, has been named an IEEE honorary member. The recognition honors his significant contributions to space exploration, his leadership in international science programs, and his role as an inspirational figure for future generations. Duque, who currently serves as the chairman of HispaSat, began his career as an aeronautical engineer, working on flight dynamics and orbit computational software for the European Space Agency. Inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, he pursued a path that led him to fly aboard the space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station. In his acceptance remarks, Duque praised the IEEE for its commitment to fostering technological innovation for the benefit of humanity, reflecting on his lifelong dedication to engineering and the advancement of space science.