Professor of Human Spaceflight and Exploration (University of Stuttgart)

Claas Olthoff is the Professor of Human Spaceflight and Exploration at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. Claas earned a German diploma in aerospace engineering from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany in 2010. After performing the research for his master’s thesis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2009 and 2010, he joined the Institute of Astronautics at TUM as a Ph.D. candidate. After initially serving as the project manager and systems engineer for the educational CubeSat project “First-MOVE”, he completed his doctoral studies in 2017 with the successful defense of his dissertation titled “Dynamic Simulation of Extravehicular Activities.” Following a period of parental leave and a brief stint as a postdoctoral researcher at TUM, he was awarded a three-year fellowship from the NASA Postdoctoral Program, which he spent at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. There Claas worked as a requirements engineer for the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) CO₂ removal system on the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit. In parallel, he continued his research in spacesuit simulation technologies, providing insights into the thermal interactions between spacesuits and the lunar surface within permanently shadowed regions.

In 2022 Claas returned to Germany to work as a systems engineer for Airbus Defense and Space, first on a national security satellite system and then as a designer for the life support system of the Starlab commercial space station.

In February 2024 Claas joined the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart as a full professor for human spaceflight and exploration. The focus of his research continues to be life support system technology development and simulation for spacesuits and habitats alike. This includes the development of novel CO₂ removal systems based on hydrophobic zeolites and spacesuit thermal insulation materials for Mars. Using a combination of the V-HAB simulation software and a laboratory scale life support system, Claas and his team are also exploring the application of various artificial intelligence systems in the development and operation of life support systems.

19:00-22:00 | Rio Mar Ballroom
ICES 2026 Awards Banquet

Lieutenant Commander Tom Whalen

National Technical Advisor
Investigations National Center of Expertise
U.S. Coast Guard

Lieutenant Commander Tom Whalen has served as the National Technical Advisor for the Investigations National Center of Expertise (NCOE) since 2023, providing expert technical support to investigating officers conducting marine casualty investigations worldwide. Notably, LCDR Whalen served as the Lead Investigating Officer for the Commandant-level Marine Board of Investigation into the implosion of the submersible TITAN.

Previously, LCDR Whalen served as a staff member for the First Coast Guard District since 2019. As a member of the Inspections and Investigations Branch, LCDR Whalen led the inspection and investigation efforts to ensure compliance for over 10,000 commercial vessels across 8 states, while overseeing investigations of over 800 marine casualties annually.

LCDR Whalen previously served as the supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Belfast in Belfast, Maine. As the unit supervisor, LCDR Whalen was the senior Coast Guard representative for over 1500 miles of coastline and the Canadian border, overseeing compliance of domestic and foreign vessels, regulated waterfront facilities, and pollution responses. As the liaison to the State of Maine, LCDR Whalen managed multi-agency responses to oil and hazardous materials pollution cases and directed investigations into marine casualties and mariner misconduct.

From 2014 to 2016, LCDR Whalen served at Sector New Orleans as a port state control officer and an apprentice marine inspector. As a foreign vessel examiner and a domestic vessel inspector, he conducted safety and security inspections, determined compliance with U.S. and international regulations and treaties pertaining to vessel manning, lifesaving, firefighting, pollution prevention equipment and navigation safety to ensure vessel’s fitness for route & service.

In 2013, LCDR Whalen attended Officer Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Prior to his commissioning, LCDR Whalen was a chief machinery technician stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC-910) in Key West, Florida where he oversaw the operation and maintenance of the propulsion plant as the main propulsion chief.

Prior units include Coast Guard Station Marblehead in Marblehead, Ohio in 2010 as the assistant engineering petty officer and lead boarding officer, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Opa Locka, Florida in 2007 as training and boarding officer, Coast Guard Station New London in New London, Connecticut in 2003 as small boat engineer and boarding officer, machinery technician “A” School in Yorktown, Virginia, and Coast Guard Boot Camp in Cape May, New Jersey in 2003.

LCDR Whalen earned a Master of Science Degree in Transportation and Logistics Management with an emphasis in Marine Engineering from American Public University and Bachelor of Science in Business from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.