Rita Rinaldo has been with the European Space Agency since 2001. She is currently with the Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness Directorate. She is currently in charge of the Applications Projects and Studies Division, where she is responsible for the initiation and management of space-based applications projects in many vertical sectors, including maritime, energy, mobility and agri-food. She has a long experience in interfacing user communities and establishing partnerships with players including corporates, industrial associations, institutions/public bodies to promote innovation in the sustainable utilisation of space. She is engaged in supporting space and non-space companies in initiatives for developing commercial space solutions based on satellite telecommunication and navigation technologies or satellite data generating high socio-economic impact.