What happened to Pedro Sánchez's science minister, the astronaut Pedro Duque?

The inauguration of a coalition government between PSOE and Unidas Podemos in January 2020 began with turmoil in the central administration as Pedro Sánchez reshuffled. Up to five times his administrator. One of those departures, following Calvino as head of the economy, was the departure of the Minister of Science and Innovation. Pedro Duke.

Duke arrived at Monclova in 2018 as one of the most recognizable faces in the world of science. He traveled to space representing Spain. Not surprisingly, the distinguished engineer, who does not belong to any political party, has been a staunch defender of education during his time in the Cabinet. When he left, the Duke gave evidence to Diana Morant, the current science minister.

Far from politics now, the Duke continues A man dedicated to space. Since December last year, he has been chairman of Hispasat, the Spanish satellite communications operator of which Redia is the largest shareholder. The appointment replaces former Barcelona mayor Jordi Hire, who was appointed Minister of Industry and Tourism at the end of November. Before joining the ministry, Duke already led another company in the sector, Deimos Imaging, where he was general director between 2006 and 2011.

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Hispassat Manages the national satellite communications system and extends its operations beyond Spain's borders. Characterized by its international reach, the company owns 7.4% of shares and 2.9% of SEPI (State Society of Industrial Participations) under the Ministry of Finance. Additional through the Center for Industrial Technology Development (CTDI), dependent on the Duke-led portfolio. The public-private company is a strategic company due to its involvement in Spain's defense sector.

From October 29 to November 7, 1998, Duke participated as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flight STS-95. This nine-day mission in space Devoted himself to antigravity and the study of the Sun. The former head of science was responsible for five of the European Space Agency's (ESA) science facilities on board the spacecraft and the computer system used on the spacecraft.

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From October 18 to 28, 2003, he participated in the Cervantes mission. In this task He stayed on the International Space Station for ten days (ISS, its English abbreviation) is the flight engineer of the Saiús-TMA spacecraft for takeoff, approach (with the eighth permanent crew) and landing (with the seventh). According to a biography published by ESA, the Spanish astronaut carried out an extensive experimental program in the fields of biology, physiology, physics, Earth observation, education and new technologies, including activities with the Microgravity Science Glovebox, a scientific instrument developed in Europe.