Thomas Reiter
Thomas Arthur Reiter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Test pilot |
| Space career | |
| Astronaut, Cosmonaut | |
| Rank | Colonel, Luftwaffe |
Time in space | 350d 05h 44m |
| Selection | 1992 NASA Group |
| Missions | Soyuz TM-22, STS-121, Expedition 13, Expedition 14, STS-116 |
Mission insignia | File:Sts121 crewpatch.jpg   File:STS-116 patch.png |
Thomas Arthur Reiter (born May 23 1958 in Frankfurt, Germany) is an astronaut with the European Space Agency and is a colonel (Oberst) in the Luftwaffe. As of 2006, he was one of the top 50 astronauts in terms of total time in space.
In 1982, Reiter received his diploma in astronautics. He completed his training as a pilot in Germany and Texas.
He served as an onboard engineer for the Euromir 95 (Soyuz TM-22) mission to the Mir space station. During his 179 days aboard Mir, he carried out two EVAs and became the first German astronaut to perform a spacewalk.
Between 1996 and 1997, he underwent additional training on the Soyuz spacecraft and was awarded a "Soyuz Return Commander" certificate, qualifying him to command a three-person Soyuz crew during its return from space.
He trained for a six-month mission to the International Space Station and has been launched on the Discovery STS-121 mission to join Expedition 13. The launch date was set for 1 July 2006, but was moved to 2 July, and finally launched on 4 July 2006 due to weather delays [1]. Discovery departed 15 July, leaving Reiter behind with Expedition 13.
His mission has been designated "Astrolab" by the European Space Agency.
He is now on his return to Earth aboard the same shuttle which he was launched on STS-116.
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