.jpg)
Johannes Alphonsus Marie "Johan" Bleeker (born 20 July 1942) is a Dutch space research and technology scientist. He was director of theNetherlands Institute for Space Research from 1983 to 2003. He was involved in the setting up of the Horizon 2000 and Horizon 2000+ long term space science programs of theEuropean Space Agency.
Bleeker was born inLeeuwarden on 20 July 1942.[1] He attended theHogere Burgerschool. Bleeker subsequently studiedengineering physics atDelft University of Technology. He continued his studies atLeiden University, where in 1971 he obtained hisdoctorate underHendrik C. van de Hulst with a thesis titled:The diffuse X-ray sky.[1][2]
Bleeker stayed at Leiden University and worked at the Cosmic-Ray Working Group until 1983, during the final two years he was group leader. In 1983 he became director of the Utrecht Laboratory for Space Research, which later became theNetherlands Institute for Space Research. Bleeker was director until 2003, he was succeeded byKarel Wakker [nl].[3]
Apart from his position at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research Bleeker was a professor ofspace research and exploration atUtrecht University. He was an extraordinary professor (Dutch:buitengewoon hoogleraar [nl]) from 1985 to 1991, and was then appointed as full professor. He took up emeritus status in 2007.[1]
The research and projects of Bleeker have covered amongst others:high energy astrophysics,cosmic-ray physics and X-ray astronomy.[2]
Bleeker chaired the Survey Committee that set up the long term space science programHorizon 2000 of theEuropean Space Agency and also took part in establishing the follow-on program Horizon 2000+.[2][4] In 1996 he publicly criticized the budget constraints on these programs, which were imposed by the European ministers.[5]
Bleeker was elected member ofthe Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW, 1988),[6] of the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW, 1989), ofthe Academia Europaea (AE, 1989)[7] and of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA,1989).
He was appointed honorary member of the Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI, 2007)[8]and elected corresponding member of the Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, 2009).
In 2002 Bleeker was made a Commander in theOrder of the Netherlands Lion.[9]
Minor planet 9693 Bleeker is named after him.[10][11]
