The Leading Speakers Bureau

German Astronaut

Ulrich Walter is a full professor for astronautics at the Technical University at Munich, Germany where since 2003 he has headed the Institute of Astronautics, teaching and researching in the field of space robotic and exploration technology. He is President of the Hermann-Oberth-Museum in Feucht, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Deutsches Museum, Munich, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Science and Technology Center, Freiburg.

“Space travel opens really completely new horizons. It unites humans and at the same time different ways of thinking.”

[expand title=”In detail”] After his studies of physics at the University of Cologne, Dr Walter spent one year at the US research laboratory Argonne National Laboratories in Chicago, then he went to the University of California, Berkeley. In 1987 he was appointed member of the German team of astronauts and until the start of the Shuttle Mission STS-55 in 1993, he was trained at the German Aerospace Center DLR as well as at the NASA Space Center in Houston. In 1994 he became leader of the major project “German Satellite Data Archive” of the German Remote Data Sensing Center of the DLR. In 1998 he went to the IBM Development Laboratory in Böblingen as a program manager in charge of development and consulting for IBM software products as project leader and lead consultant.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ulrich Walter’s main focus is on real-time telerobotics in space, inter-satellite communication technologies, technologies for planetary exploration, and system modelling and optimisation. In addition to talking knowledgeably about new technologies and space flight, Dr Walter offers audiences deep insight into the physical and mental preparation and the self motivation required to become an astronaut.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Dr Walter inspires audiences with his highly engaging presentations lavishly illustrated with photos from his voyage into space.[/expand]

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Second German Astronaut & Space Shuttle Pilot

Dr. Ulf Merbold became the first non-American to fly on the Space Shuttle during the STS-9 missionin 1983, in 1984 he was involved in the Space Shuttle Spacelab German D-1 mission, as both back-up Payload Specialist and Crew Interface Coordinator (CIC). He was appointed Head of the DLR (German Aerospace Research Establishment) Astronaut Office in 1987 and led the German astronauts and supported the preparation of the D2 mission.

Dr. Merbold holds the distinction of being the first non-US citizen to reach orbit in a US spacecraft

[expand title=”In detail”] Ulf Merbold studied Physics in Stuttgart and upon completing his degree he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Materials Research in Stuttgart. In 1978 he was named as one of the three ESA (European Space Agency) Spacelab specialists on board the Space Shuttle. Between 1999 and 2004 he was responsible for the Utilisation Promotion Management in the Microgravity Promotion Division of the ESA Directorate of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity, at ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. He holds a commercial pilots license (CPL2) with Instrument Rating, as well as an Acrobatic license and has logged more than 3000 hours as Pilot in Command.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The first West German citizen and second German native to fly in space, Dr. Merbold’s presentations are memorable and a fascinating glimpse into the world of space travel. His scientific interests and his challenging space missions have made him a much sought-after speaker at conferences and events.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]One of the few European astronauts, Ulf’s presentation vividly illustrate the complex and challenging world outside of our atmosphere.[/expand]

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The First African in Space

Mark Shuttleworth is an African entrepreneur with a love of technology, innovation and space flight. In April 2002 Mark realised his lifelong dream to fly into space. He prepared a whole year for this project, including seven months training at Star City, Russia. As a member of the crew of Soyuz TM-34, they launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan and docked with the International Space Station.

He started ‘Ubuntu’ – the Linux for human beings

[expand title=”In detail”] Mark was born and raised in South Africa, and resides currently in the UK, where he researches new projects and technologies. After studying finance and information technology at the University of Cape Town, he went on to found Thawte, a company specialising in digital certificates and internet privacy. He sold Thawte to US company VeriSign in 1999, and founded HBD Venture Capital and The Shuttleworth Foundation.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mark not only uses his personal experiences to inspire others to achieve their own personal goals but also talks knowledgeably about the implications of new technologies in business. In particular with his latest project ‘Ubuntu’, a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support, he offers invaluable innovative ways for doing modern business. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic personality, Mark’s innovative presentations are filled with a veritable wealth of actionable ideas delivered in an easily digested formula.[/expand]

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