Hans Koenigsmann
Template:Short description Template:Infobox scientist
Hans-Jörg Königsmann (born 1963) is a German aerospace engineer who was Vice President of Flight Reliability for SpaceX until his retirement in 2021.
Education and career[edit | edit source]
Hans Königsmann obtained his aerospace engineering diploma at Technische Universität Berlin in 1989, followed by a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Production Technology at the University of Bremen in 1995.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:10 March 2019|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
He began working at the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity at the University of Bremen, where he was in charge of avionics and later management of the BremSat satellite. After successful launch and the end of the project one year later, he emigrated to California to work for the satellite manufacturer Microcosm Inc. He met Elon Musk at a rocket launch in the Mojave desert.<ref name="nasa-history">Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
In 2002 Königsmann became the fourth technical employee for the newly-founded SpaceX. He was part of the launch team starting as VP of Avionics, then from the third Falcon 1 flight forward was the Launch Chief Engineer. SpaceX promoted him to Vice President of Flight Reliability in 2011 making him responsible for the safe completion of SpaceX missions.<ref name="nasa-history"/> Koenigsmann announced his retirement from SpaceX in January 2021.<ref name=cnbc20210202>Template:Cite news</ref>
Königsmann has been a member of Bremen based space and technology company OHB SE's Supervisory Board since June 24, 2022.<ref name="OHB" /> Königsmann is also operating as an advisor for the Seattle based rocket company startup Stoke Space. <ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Honors[edit | edit source]
- Hans Königsmann was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in 2014.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> It is the highest form of recognition by NASA for non-Government individuals.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Published works[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- Hans Koenigsmann. Interviewed by Rebecca Hackler NASA Johnson Space Center Oral History Project. Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Office. Edited Oral History Transcript. Hawthorne, California on January 15, 2013
- Pre-launch conference for SpaceX CRS-4. Video of Hans Koenigsmann talking about the mission during 14:30–20:19 and 22:04–36:39