Diploma in physics from the Aachen University of Technology, 1979; from 61 European candidates for the ESA 1991 selection one of five German candidates (and on the shortlist of 25 candidate applicants), but not selected then; selected in 1998 from NASA as MSP; hobbies: Skiing, scuba diving, flying, reading, being a handyman; married to Heike Walpot (second marriage).