Thomas Reiter is a retired European astronaut and Brigadier General in the German Air Force. He holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Technology and an honorary doctorate. His career includes military test pilot training, extensive jet-flight experience, and contributions to European space endeavours. He joined ESA’s European Astronaut Corps in 1992, participating in two long-term missions with an accumulated duration of 350 days to the Russian Space station Mir and the ISS and conducting 3 spacewalks. He further contributed to the development of the European Robotic Arm and commanded a Soyuz capsule during re-entry. Thomas Reiter has achieved the status of being one of the top 25 astronauts worldwide in terms of total time spent in space. His leadership roles encompass serving on the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center and as Director of ESA’s Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations. He continues his influence as ESA Interagency Coordinator and Advisor to the Director General. His accomplishments in aerospace technology, his remarkable spaceflight experience, and his continued dedication to space endeavours showcase his exceptional career and lasting impact on the field of space exploration.