Astrophysicist Piero Benvenuti is to take over the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as extraordinary commissioner replacing former president Roberto Battiston who was recently axed by the government, sources said Friday.
A decree putting ASI under Benvenuti is ready, the sources said. "I have accepted this post out of a spirit of service to the country," Benvenuti told ANSA.
"I will carry it forward until a new president is appointed, and in any case for a period no longer than six months".
Benvenuti said he would start work next week.
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