I use advanced optimizing tools to generate artificial intelligence that allows my team to establish the world´s most cost-effective launch service. The launch vehicle RFA ONE is built with an automotive/industrial method, mindset and supply chain that allows us to lift up more for less.Check out this NSF Live episode where I talk RFA ONE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pF5EJlXlqboCheck out this episode of Everyday Astronaut where I talk more RFA ONE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRFnGnJzRJQ&t=534s

After 10 years abroad, I moved back to Germany and joined MT Aerospace as a systems engineer for Ariane 6. Coupled a structural opimizer to a trajectory optimizer. Learnt about methods to accurately predict the cost of launch vehicle structures and used/updated a large cost-database. Coupled the structural optimizer, the trajectory optimizer and the cost database in an attempt to ask the newly generated artificial intelligence "how does a launch vehicle look like if I just want the lowest possible payload cost for the customer". The optimizer told me that everything I thought was right could be improved: the rocket could be made from stainless steel rather than composite. The engines could be staged-combustion, rather than gas-generator engines. Everything the optimizer suggested was different to what I thought when optimizing purely for cost. Few months after presenting these results and trying to find the mistakes in the optimizer boundary conditions, we learnt that SpaceX scrapped all composite parts and that they will transition to using stainless steel. https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-all-in-steel-starship-super-heavy/

Had the opportunity to lead and hire a team of remarkable engineers and technicians with whom I was responsible for increasing the maturity level of the launch vehicle's systems from early prototypes to flight-ready hardware. Managed the test operations from an early planning phase through iterative design and analysis activities to qualification. I helped assemble a great engineering team and successfully brought systems to flight readiness. The most challenging aspect of my role was bringing designers, analysts and test engineers together to create novel, disruptive and cost-efficient solutions in an environment that aims for continuous improvement and iteration. Successful orbital injection occurred just a few months after qualification was completed. Mission accomplished. Learnt what true focus means, and what sacrifices have to be made.

My research at ISL focused on aerodynamic measurements and simulations for future defense applications. All that military funding across the globe - would get us to Mars easily. An opportunity came along where I was asked by a former friend and co-worker if I wanted to join a launch vehicle engineering project.

My postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Queensland was research-focused on ignition and combustion physics in supersonic, air-breathing engines called scramjets. I have built a range of advanced diagnostic capabilities (density-sensitive visualization, emission spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence) and supported the development of several international hypersonic flight experiments. One of the highlights during my time at UQ was the development of a new and novel technique to measure temperatures in a scramjet combustion chamber. During my time at ADFA, I tried recording the laser-induced fluorescence emission spectrum of hydroxyl in an open flame using an ICCD and a spectrometer and compared it to a synthetic spectrum computed by a radiation simulation program. I thought that one could compute many spectra with different temperatures and try to find a best-fit to the experimentally determined spectra, and thus, derive temperatures along a single laser beam that points through a flame - sort of more elegant to what I used at a time (two-line thermometry). I got introduced to a talented engineer - Tamara Sopek - who took on this challenge, made it all work, and composed this remarkable thesis on the topic: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:721191Developed a large range of tools mostly for optimizing launch vehicles and their trajectories as a side-project. Discovered new techniques on how to optimize both, the vehicle structure and the trajectory at the same time, in a closely-coupled dependency.I also met a lot of top-notch talent, some of which I managed to hire and help me in future projects.My research work on ResearchGate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefan_Brieschenk/research

Internship for my final-year thesis. Gained a detailed understanding of metallic and composite airframes. My project focused on composite aft-pressure bulkhead designs and FEA simulations of composite lap joints for repair considerations. Developed a range of academic tools at university for when there is no time for FEA. Learnt the hard way that time is the most precious resource and also the largest cost-driver in any project. Developed a love-and-hate relationship for composites and established an understanding for what purposes I do not want to ever use it.

Got a chance to experience all aspects of an engineering business, technical and commercial ones. Learnt to appreciate every micron of a precision part. Understood in which cases precision is desperately needed and in which cases you can safe time and effort.

Looked around each corner twice to find a special project somewhere here. An idea for a moulding jig for composite profiles emerged on the shopfloor. I designed and built the jig using a CNC machining centre, manual lathes, milling machines and a TIG welding gun. Not everything turned out as expected but I manged to make it work eventually - thanks to all the experience that was thrown at me and all the support I received.

Needed my own mode of transport to break out of my territory and freely explore the world. To fund my driving license, I asked machine shops in the neighbourhood for a part-time job. Learnt everything about metal work, surface finishing, assembly and got introduced to engineering. Bought a used motorcycle from some of these earnings which required a complete rebuild. Accidentally drowned it in a lake after the rebuild, requiring a second rebuild. Lots of time invested and clearly understood how hard it is to keep something running forever.

Gathered my very first working experience at MAN Technologie (now MT Aerospace) when I was 15 years old. I was asked to measure rivet gaps with a feeler gauge, and accidentally put a scratch into one of the anodized surfaces when removing the gauge. This was big drama back in the day. Make sure you understand exactly how a tool is supposed to be used before touching it. You can easily make a scratch but you cannot easily remove a scratch. If you use a tool 95% correctly, you are still doing it incorrectly.