Speaker Bio
Laurent Jaffart is the European Space Agency’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications and Head of ECSAT in Harwell, United Kingdom, since 15 May 2024.
In this role, Mr Jaffart leads the ESA satellite telecommunication programme, including the implementation of the full portfolio of the ARTES 4.0 programme activities, Moonlight, Civil Security from Space and the ESA contributions to the EU Secure Connectivity Programme, IRIS2, in collaboration with the European Commission.
Under the ARTES 4.0 programme, Mr Jaffart is responsible for deploying the strategic programme lines related to 5G/6G non-terrestrial network integration, secure communications, and quantum/optical technologies all the while developing pioneering and competitive technologies and partnership projects with European and Canadian industry.
From France, Mr Jaffart has over 20 years of experience in the European space sector, most notably in several senior leadership roles at Airbus Defence and Space, where he most recently was the Vice-President and Head of Strategy for Corporate and New Business Development in Space Systems.