- Diploma degree in physics from the Bonn University (Particle Accelerators Physics) - Ph.D. in Particle Physics in a cooperation between the Bonn University and the University of Paris Sud, France. - German Space Agency (DARA/DLR) since 1991 - System engineer and project leader for two national German re-entry vehicles, flown in 1995 and 1997 - Launcher Systems Department since 1998 - Head of the Launcher Systems Department of DLR’s Space Agency branch since 2005