Diploma in physics and doctorate in science (Dr. rer. nat) from Stuttgart University, 1968 and 1976, respectively; staff member, Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Stuttgart; was Chief of German Astronaut Office at times; hobbies: Skiing, soaring, playing the piano, photography; since January 1995 acting head of the Astronaut Division at EAC (European Astronauts Center), Cologne, Germany; until 2004 he was involved in ESA development programs for the ISS; presently retired.