- Education: Master of Science (1966) and Doctor of Philosophy (1979) at the University of Helsinki
- Professional positions: Research assistant at the University of Helsinki 1968-69; Instructor in theoretical physics at the University of Helsinki 1971-72: Senior research scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) 1972-85; Chief of Aeronomy Division at FMI 1985-89; Research Professor at FMI 1989-91; Professor, Head of Department of Geophysics at FMI 1991-2003; Director of Science in Space Research at FMI 2003-2007; Emeritus professor, FMI, 2008 -.
- Personal professional achievements: Made several new inventions in auroral substorm morphology and current systems. Developed a theoretical method to explain the production of high-energy particles in planetary magnetospheres; Started the first space project in Finland in 1985 and has since then been the responsible scientist or director of 30 externally funded international space projects; 1987: proposed the idea to start developing small 60-100 kg planetary landers for mainly meteorological purposes; 1987: presented the first concept of satellite-borne ozone layer observations to be proposed for the EOS Call for Instrument proposals; 1993: proposed a near-Earth ground-based real-time ionospheric monitoring system, MIRACLE, to support the Cluster mission; 1995: proposed a Finnish data processing centre for satellite ozone data to be located in Northern Finland; 1999: proposed a data receiving station for the EOS-AURA OMI data to be established in Northern Finland; 2000: acted as key scientist in proposing for ESA a programme for a manned flight to Mars. Acted as advisor to the ESA Director General in 2002-05, during the preparatory phase of the AURORA exploration programme;
- Publications: More than 140 scientific publications, mainly in the fields of auroral, magnetospheric and planetary physics. Co-writer with I. Seppinen of the Finnish Space History (History of European Space Research, Vol. VI, ESA, 2008).
- Key responsibilities: Advisor to the Swedish and Finnish Space Boards for 15 years, to ESA D/Sci for 6 years, and ESA DG for 4 years. Key scientist in starting and coordinating co-operation in the fields of geophysics and space physics with the Soviet Union/Russia for more than 30 years. Member of the national committee that negotiated Finland’s ESA membership 1985-86.
- International Committees: Member of the Swedish Space Science Committee (1982 - 1997); Member of the International Science Committee of the Russian Phobos (1986-1989) and Mars-92/94/96 Programmes (1990 - 1996)…
- Academies and Awards: Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (1990¬); Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (1988); The Royal Astronomical Society Associate (1997); Member of the European Academy of Sciences (2004-); Russian Gagarin Medal (2005); EGU Honorary Membership and Jean Dominique Cassini Medal (2006); Russian Babakin Medal (2007).