Aarti Holla-Maini has been named the new director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), according to an announcement made by the UN on Monday. Holla-Maini, a resident of the United Kingdom, is an expert in satellite technology. She previously served as the secretary general of the Global Satellite Operators Association and has held various roles in the space industry, including as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space and an expert advisor on Space Traffic Management for European Union studies. Most recently, she was the executive vice-president of Sustainability, Policy & Impact at NorthStar Earth & Space.
UNOOSA is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space. The office also assists developing countries in utilizing space technology and helps countries understand international space law.
In a LinkedIn post, Holla-Maini expressed her excitement about leading UNOOSA during a time of significant development and commercialization in the space industry. She emphasized the importance of protecting space for all actors and utilizing its potential to address sustainable development goals.
The appointment of Holla-Maini has been praised by industry leaders. Tom Stroup, President of the Satellite Industry Association, commended her for her advocacy of the global satellite industry during her tenure at GSOA. He expressed his organization’s eagerness to collaborate with her and UNOOSA as the commercial satellite industry continues to grow rapidly.
Holla-Maini recently appeared on Via Satellite’s On Orbit podcast in January 2022, where she discussed various topics related to the space industry.
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