Detlef Koschny

Dr. Detlef Koschny brings over three decades of expertise in planetary science and space mission management. His career spans from aerospace engineering at TU Munich to leadership roles at ESA's Planetary Defence Office. His academic credentials include a Diplom and Ph.D. from TU Munich, with research at Caltech studying impact ejecta related to dinosaur extinction theories. His professional journey includes positions as Payload Engineer at Kayser-Threde GmbH, Technical Manager for space-based cameras at Max Planck Institut für Aeronomie, and significant contributions to ESA's planetary missions and defense initiatives. Currently serving as Honorary Professor at TUM's School of Engineering and Design, he specializes in small solar system bodies and near-Earth objects. His expertise is recognized through the naming of asteroid (21686) Koschny in his honor. His research focuses on asteroid defense, meteor showers, and hypervelocity impacts, while teaching "Near-Earth Objects for Engineers and Physicists" at TUM. His work has significantly influenced planetary defense strategies and space mission planning, particularly in asteroid impact threat assessment and mitigation