Space Shuttle Columbia carried Ulrich Walter into orbit in 1993 for the STS-55 Spacelab D-2 mission, where he logged 239 hours and 40 minutes of flight time. This journey served as the peak of his career within the German astronaut team, following years of rigorous preparation in solid-state physics and space research.
Academic Foundations and Early Research
Born in Iserlohn in 1954, Walter attended the Märkisches Gymnasium before completing two years of service with the Bundeswehr. He subsequently pursued physics at the University of Cologne, earning a diploma in 1980 and a doctorate in 1985. His research focused on solid-state physics, a specialization he deepened through post-doctoral roles at the Argonne National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley.
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Walter joined the German astronaut team in 1987. His transition into space operations involved extensive training at the German Aerospace Center between 1988 and 1990. During his 1993 mission as a Payload Specialist, he contributed to the scientific objectives of the Spacelab D-2 project. Following his return, he managed space imaging database projects for the German Aerospace Center for four years.
Transition to Academia and Public Engagement
After declining a transfer to the European Space Agency, Walter spent a period working at IBM Germany. In 2003, he accepted a professorship at the Technical University of Munich, where he holds the chair at the Institute of Astronautics. His career encompasses extensive publication, with over 80 articles and several non-fiction books including his 2007 text, Astronautics. He currently serves on the advisory boards for the Deutsches Museum and the Giordano Bruno Foundation.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954, Iserlohn, Germany
- Spaceflight: STS-55, Space Shuttle Columbia
- Academic Base: Technical University of Munich
- Military Rank: Lieutenant
- Award: Ritter-von-Gerstner Medal
- Nationality: German
Questions readers ask
What subjects does Ulrich Walter teach?
He is a full professor at the Technical University of Munich, focusing on space technology and astronautics.
Did Walter stay with the European Space Agency?
No, he resigned from the German astronaut team when it was merged into the European Space Agency to pursue work at IBM.
Achievements
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Bavarian Order of Merit
- Affiliated with Technical University of Munich, Argonne National Laboratory and University of California, Berkeley
- Educated at Märkisches Gymnasium and University of Cologne
- Worked as astronaut, television presenter and physicist
