Dr Ulf Merbold is one of the few European astronauts, having spent more than 50 days in space. When the spacecraft “Columbia” lifted off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Ulf Merbold was on board as a science astronaut and was the first German to take part in the... Read more
Dr Ulf Merbold is one of the few European astronauts, having spent more than 50 days in space. When the spacecraft “Columbia” lifted off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Ulf Merbold was on board as a science astronaut and was the first German to take part in the American Space Mission. The intensive preparation and training for the mission took six years.
Ufl Merbold studied Physics in Stuttgart and upon completing his degree he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Materials Research in Stuttgart. In 1978 he was named as one of the three ESA (European Space Agency) Spacelab specialists on board the Space Shuttle.
In the subsequent years Ulf Merbold was involved in numerous projects. In 1983 he was the only non-American member of the Space Transport Team on the STS-9 mission, which tested the effectiveness of Spacelab. In 1984 he was part of the Spacelab Mission D-1. Ulf Merbold made an important contribution to the planning of the European participation in the international space station Columbus.
In 1994 he was the first ESA astronaut to join the Russian Soyuz mission on the MIR space station, and spent 32 days at the station, his longest period in space.
Since 1995 Ulf Merbold has been head of the Astronaut Division of the ESA in Cologne. Due to age restrictions, he left the agency in 2004, but he still assists in an advisory capacity. His scientific interests and his challenging space missions have made him a much sought-after speaker at conferences and events.
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You can book Ulf Merbold through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Ulf's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Ulf Merbold's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Ulf tailored to your event.
Ulf Merbold speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Ulf to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Ulf Merbold for events worldwide, subject to Ulf's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Ulf Merbold is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Ulf can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Ulf Merbold on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Ulf can offer.
Ulf Merbold delivers keynotes in German. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Ulf Merbold's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Ulf's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Ulf Merbold can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Ulf's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Ulf Merbold is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Ulf Merbold, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Ulf's current availability for your dates.