The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Born September 2 1953, in Heidenheim-Brenz, Germany. Considers Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, to be his hometown. He is married and has four children. Recreational interests include cooking, music, reading and sports, especially Badminton. He enjoys his profession, and spending time with his family.
From February 2000 Thiele participated as mission specialist in the STS-99 Mission. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)was dedicated to the first, three-dimensional, digital mapping of the Earth surface on a nearly global scale. He was responsible for SRTM operations, including the deployment and retraction of the 200-foot high boom from Endeavour's cargo bay upon which one of the flight's radar systems was mounted. Thiele was also one of two spacewalking crew members, in the event contingency spacewalk was required during the flight.
At present Thiele is performing post-flight activities. He has recently been assigned by NASA for collateral duties as a CapCOM, the interface, in charge of communications, between the control centre and the Space Shuttle crew. This is the first time that this position has been assigned to a European astronaut.