LUXEMBOURG (22 May 2025) — The Asteroid Foundation establishes a new Advisory Board and announces its four founding members, renowned scientists and entrepreneurs Patrick Michel, Slava G. Turyshev, Carlo Hansen and Hussein Rifai.
The Asteroid Foundation is a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Luxembourg and supported by Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and Luxembourg-based André Losch Foundation. It is dedicated to raising global awareness of asteroids and space while encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in space professions, science and missions. The UN-recognised Asteroid Day on June 30, which unites institutions, industry, businesses, and academia, is the focal point of Foundation’s activities. The Asteroid Foundation celebrates the 10th anniversary of Asteroid Day this year.
The purpose and task of the Asteroid Foundation’s new Advisory Board is to offer strategic advice to the Board of Directors, provide perspectives and suggest guidance in pursuing its mission. The non-operational board will eventually grow to include up to eight members.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carlo, Hussein, Patrick and Slava as the founding members of our new Advisory Board and look forward to their invaluable support,” said Markus Payer, Chair of the Board of Directors of Asteroid Foundation. “The formation of the Advisory Board and the appointment of its four founding members drive us to enhance our outreach and advance our mission at a time when more than ever engagement and investment in space science and exploration need strong advocacy. We are confident that Asteroid Day and Asteroid Foundation have a bright future and a prosperous next ten years.”
“We are honoured to have such a distinguished group of people here,” added Board Director Daniel Biedermann. “Every new member will contribute outstanding knowledge in planetary defense, astrophysics, science advocacy, and strategic business leadership. Their combined expertise will be essential to furthering our goals, maintaining the momentum and driving exciting new initiatives. With the support of this new board, we will increase our worldwide presence, encourage the peaceful use of space and help shield our planet from asteroid strikes and other harmful impacts.”
The 10th Asteroid Day programme will take place in Luxembourg City, with the Astronomer for a Night sky observation on June 26, Asteroid Day Space Lecture on June 27 and the Asteroid Day Festival on June 28. It will conclude with an Art & Science performance at Philharmonie Luxembourg on the evening of June 28.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Anna Bordus
Asteroid Foundation
+352 621 459 839
anna.bordus@asteroidfoundation.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
Profiles of the four Asteroid Foundation Advisory Board founding members:
Dr. Patrick Michel is astrophysicist and Director of Research at the French national research center CNRS and the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur. He is Principal Investigator for ESA’s Hera mission, a cornerstone of the first asteroid deflection test, undertaken in partnership with NASA’s DART mission. Patrick has been a key contributor to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and JAXA’s Hayabusa2 missions, advancing our understanding of asteroids through sample collection and return. In 2023, he published “À la rencontre des astéroïdes: missions spatiales et défense de la planète” (Encountering Asteroids: Space Missions and Planetary Defense), sharing insights into planetary exploration and defense. The International Astronomical Union honoured his contributions by naming asteroid (7561) PatrickMichel after him.
Dr. Slava G. Turyshev is a senior research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he leads precision gravitational and relativistic astrophysics programs—spanning lunar and interplanetary laser ranging, optical astrometry and relativistic cosmology. He resolved the Pioneer anomaly through detailed thermal and Doppler/telemetry analysis and has led numerous scientific investigations and mission studies, including NASA NIAC Phase III projects on exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy via the solar gravitational lens. He serves on NASA’s Fundamental Physics Advisory Committee and is an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics. He has authored over 230 peer-reviewed publications and received both the JPL Voyager Award and the NIAC Phase III Fellow Award.
Carlo Hansen served as President of the Fondation Jeunes Scientifiques Luxembourg from 2009 to 2024 and devoted his tenure to fostering scientific curiosity and innovation among young people through programmes like the National Science Contest Jonk Fuerscher and Luxembourg International Science Expo (LISE). In his capacity as National Organiser for the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, he supported students in developing their research skills and competing on an international stage, helping to nurture the next generation of scientific talent.
Hussein Rifai is an experienced business leader and board-level adviser with expertise in private equity, global food security, supply chains, and business turnarounds. As Chairman of SPC Global, an Australian agribusiness leader, and Founder and Executive Chairman of Perpetuity Capital and Perma Funds Management, he is actively involved in developing successful strategies. Hussein also chairs BCR Recruitment, Australia’s leading provider of human capital to the aviation industry. Renowned for his strategic thinking and dedication to putting people first, he supports charitable causes, demonstrating an impactful leadership style.