Prof. Dr. Walter Kröll studied mathematics and physics at the University of Bonn, where he received his PhD. In 1964. Having worked as Assistant Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Bochum, he passed his habilitation in 1967 and held chairs for theoretical physics at the universities of Bochum, Essen and Marburg. In 1972 he became President of the newly founded University of Essen and in 1979 President of the University of Marburg. From 1987 to 2002 he acted as Chairman of the German Center for Aeronautics and Space (DLR) and from 2001-2005 as President of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. Walter Kröll held numerous prestigious positions in international research associations. He served as Vice President of the European Science Foundation (1994-1998) and as Chairman of the Association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics (1996-1998). He was founding President of the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (2001-2002). At ESA, Walter Kröll joint the ESA Council in 1987 and headed the German delegation to the ESA Council from 1998 to 2001. Walter Kröll has been awarded several honorary doctorates and his merits include the Federal Grand Cross with Star and the “Bayerische Verdienstorden”. He is Officier de l’Ordre National de Mérite, Officier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur and holds the Distinguished Civil Service Medal of NASA. In 2001, he became patron for the planetoid 9187 “Walterkröll”.