André Lebeau

André Lebeau (March 4, 1932 – February 25, 2013) was a French aerospace engineer, administrator, and author who served as the President of the National Center for Space Studies (CNES), Deputy Director General and Director of Programs at the European Space Agency, president of EUMETSAT, Vice President of World Meteorological Organization, and Director General of Météo-France. He authored several books on space and environmental topics. Lebeau received various honors including France's highest order of merit, Legion of Honour.

Early life and education Lebeau was born in Montceau-les-Mines, Saône-et-Loire. He studied at Lycée Saint-Louis before attending the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he received a degree in physical sciences in 1952. In 1956, he passed the agrégation examination in physical sciences. Lebeau received his doctorate in science in 1965, with the thesis titled Les courants électriques dans l'ionosphère des régions polaires (English: Electric Currents in the Ionosphere of the Polar Regions). He is also the author of important physics work on the upper atmosphere and geomagnetism.