Born in 1959, an engineer and scientist by training, Jean-Yves Le Gall has devoted his entire career to space programmes in France, Europe and the rest of the world. He is currently involved in the activities of several international public and private entities linked to high technology and space. He is Chairman of the Strategic Orientation Council of the Université Paris-Saclay, France's No. 1 university and the world's No. 16 university according to the Shanghai ranking, and a member of the Orientation and Forecasting Committee of the Ecole Centrale Méditerranée. He is also Chairman of the Foundation for the Study of Japanese Language and Civilisation, a member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and a member of the Académie des Technologies.

From 2013 to 2021, he was Chairman of the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) and, at the same time, Chairman of the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA), Chairman of the Council of the European Galileo Agency (GSA) and President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). He previously held positions at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), several French ministries and Novespace, Starsem and Arianespace, where he was Chairman and CEO.

In 2001, he received the Prix d'Astronautique de l'Association Aéronautique et Astronautique de France (AAAF), in 2005 the magazine Via Satellite named him Satellite Executive of the Year, in 2007 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award awarded by the Asia-PacificPacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC), in 2011 it was received at the Hall of Fame of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) and received the Icarus Award from the Association of Professional Journalists of Aeronautics and Space (AJPAE).

In 2014, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine awarded him its Laureate’s Award, in 2018 the California Institute of Technology awarded him the International von Kármán Wings Award and in 2021 he received the IAF Excellence in International Cooperation Award. Jean-Yves Le Gall is Commander of the Legion of Honour and Commander of the National Order of Merit.

He holds the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation, the Order of the Rising Sun, Golden and Silver Star, awarded by the Government of Japan and the Friendship Award, awarded by the Government of China. He received the rank of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.