Dr Igor Ashurbeyli 

Founder of Asgardia, Head of Nation, Head of Supreme Space Council 

Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, a scientist, businessman and philanthropist, is the Founder of Asgardia. Since 1992 he has a Doctorate of Science in Engineering with a specialisation in automated control and computer systems for aerospace applications. In 1988, he founded Socium Holding, where he is still Chairman of the Board and a beneficiary. From 2000 to 2010, Dr Ashurbeyli was the CEO of the Almaz Central Design Bureau named after a distinguished member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dr A.A. Raspletin, the lead developer of air defence and space defence systems for the USSR (since 1947) and then the Russian Federation. In 2007 he was awarded the National Order of Honour by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation. In 2010 he was awarded the State Science & Technology Prize of Russia for his achievements in science and technology and the National Order of Honour. In 2016, Dr Ashurbeyli founded Asgardia, the Space Nation and was elected as the Head of Nation in the referenda in 2017 and in 2022.