Thomas Reiter
joined the Executive Board of DLR on 1 October 2007 and is responsible for space research and development.
He was born on 23 May 1958 in Frankfurt am Main.
Thomas Reiter graduated in aviation and space engineering from the Federal Armed Forces University in Neubiberg. At the conclusion of his training as a jet pilot, he was stationed with the 43rd fighter-bomber squadron in Oldenberg. There he was involved in the development of a computer-controlled flight-planning system, and was appointed Flight Applications Officer and Deputy Squadron Leader. He also worked at the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the development team for a manned space vehicle (Hermes).
In 1992, he joined the European astronaut team at ESA. At the conclusion of his initial training, Reiter was chosen for the Euromir 95 mission. In March 1995, he was named on-board engineer for this mission, until then, at 179 days, the longest European manned space mission (3 September 1995 to 29 February 1996). While on Euromir 95 , he performed two EVAs (ExtraVehicular Activities). He was awarded the Russian ‘Soyuz Return Commander’ certificate, entitling him to assume control of a Soyuz capsule with three crew members during its re-entry from space.
From September 1997 to March 1999, Thomas Reiter was posted to the German Air Force as Commander of the Flight Group of a Tornado fighter-bomber squadron.
After his return to ESA, he supported the ATV team, worked on the ERA robotics project and from June 1999 to March 2000 continued his training for the Russian segment of the international space station at the Russian Cosmonaut Training Centre in "Star City" . From September 2001 to September 2004, Thomas Reiter worked with the Columbus project team on preparations for the European research module.
From 4 July to 22 December 2006, Thomas Reiter participated in the Astrolab mission, the first European long-term mission on board the international space station. He carried out another EVA as part of this mission.
Thomas Reiter is a holder of the German Federal Service Cross (Großes Bundesverdienstkreuz).