Space alumnus becomes new Director General of the Swedish National Space Agency

Ella Carlsson has an extensive academic background linked to Luleå University of Technology, where she earned a Master’s degree in Space Technology. She also completed her Ph.D. at Luleå University of Technology in Space Technology and defended her dissertation on Mars in 2008.

Ella Carlsson is now becoming the Director General of the Swedish National Space Agency after serving as Head of Space at the Swedish Armed Forces. She has also worked at Esrange, Sweden’s only space rocket base, and in 2018 she was named Alumnus of the Year by Luleå University of Technology.

"It feels incredibly significant and an honor to have the government's trust to advance Swedish space activities. At the same time, it is bittersweet to leave the Armed Forces, which will always hold a special place in my heart", Ella Carlsson says.

"We are very proud that Ella Carlsson is one of our alumni, and we naturally congratulate her and wish her the best of luck in her new role as Director General," says Niklas Lehto, Head of the Department Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering