Germany
I am the Director of Human & Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA) under the direct authority of ESA DG. As such I am responsible for all Human and Robotic Exploration related matters, starting with strategy development over programme implementation to benefits evaluation. Space exploration offers a unique combination of cutting-edge science, technological innovation and inspiration for the next generation. Ministers approved €2.7 billion at ESA’s Council on Ministerial Level in 2022 for the next phase of Terrae Novae, ESA’s new worlds space exploration programme focussed on three destinations – low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars. Terrae Novae leads Europe’s human journey into the Solar System using robots as precursors and scouts.
I am the Director of Human & Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA) under the direct authority of ESA DG. As such I am responsible for all Human and Robotic Exploration related matters, starting with strategy development over programme implementation to benefits evaluation. Space exploration offers a unique combination of cutting-edge science, technological innovation and inspiration for the next generation. Ministers approved €2.7 billion at ESA’s Council on Ministerial Level in 2022 for the next phase of Terrae Novae, ESA’s new worlds space exploration programme focussed on three destinations – low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars. Terrae Novae leads Europe’s human journey into the Solar System using robots as precursors and scouts.
Under the direct authority of the ESA DG, I was responsible for contributing to the ESA-wide management as a member of its Executive Board. In particular, I was responsible for proposing and implementing a strategy for the European space transportation sector. Such a strategy includes a long-term vision of the sector and depends inter alia on the service demand of institutional and commercial users while promoting private initiatives, identifying potential transformations and proposing action to tackle upcoming challenges. Such strategy also associates the relevant actors in this field such as space agencies, academia, institutions, operators and space transportation industry. With my team, we were in charge of preparing the future of the sector by building up relevant proposals for all new programmes and activities in Space Transportation, taking into consideration the industrial policy of the Agency. In addition, we were in charge for implementation of all ESA programmes and activities in Space Transportation (starting with Ariane 6, Vega C and Space Rider and including the Resolution on Europe’s Spaceport CSG) and leads the ESA censor representation in Arianespace. More than 1 bn Euro annual average budget responsibility, ~200 staff and contractors.
Professor of Practice in Mechanical Engineering
- Head Swiss Space Office (SSO) - Head of the Swiss Delegation to ESA - Deputy of the State Secretary for space affairs within the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) - Member of the Board of the SERI