James Zimmerman

James “Jim” Zimmerman is President of International Space Services, Inc. which he founded in 1997. He also serves as Past President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) which has 200 member organizations in more than 50 countries. Jim has more than 35 years of international space and science program and international cooperation experience. He is particularly familiar with space program and policy developments in the United States and in Europe where he served as NASA’s European Representative for twelve years. Before retiring from the US Government in 1997, Zimmerman held several senior executive positions at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other federal agencies. As Chief of NASA’s International Planning and Programs Office, Zimmerman was responsible for negotiating NASA’s joint projects with space agencies in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. In 1980 Zimmerman founded and served as the first Director of the International Affairs Office of the National Environmental Satellite Service in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At the same time NOAA assumed responsibility for the Landsat Earth observations satellite program. From 1882 to 1985 Zimmerman served as Assistant Director for Export, Import and International Safeguards of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission where he was responsible for approving American exports of fuel and reactor components to other countries for nuclear power and research purposes. In 1985 Zimmerman returned to NASA to become the agency’s European Representative. During this twelve-year assignment he was based in Paris, France and traveled extensively throughout Europe to represent the US Government’s civil space interests. Jim Zimmerman was elected President of the International Astronautical Federation in 2004 and re-elected for a second term in 2006. He currently serves as Past President of the Federation where he serves on IAF Bureau and continues to play an active role in IAF programs. Jim Zimmerman is a Fellow in the American Astronautical Society and an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics where he also served as Vice President – International. He is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and a co-author of an Academy cosmic study on Next Steps in Exploring Deep Space. He also served as rapporteur of Approaches to Future Space Cooperation and Competition in a Globalizing World, a report published in 2009 by the U.S. National Research Council. Zimmerman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College and a Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, both in the USA. He also studied at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and at universities in Finland, Austria and Italy. Zimmerman was twice awarded NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. In addition he received the European Space Agency’s International Space Station Award and the German Space Agency’s International Cooperation Award. He also received the American Astronautical Society’s Award for the Advancement of International Cooperation.