INTERVIEW with GERHARD GRÖMER from AUSTRIA

(c) OeWF (Katja Zanella-Kux)

Team & Task(s)

Gerhard Grömer is member of the Ground Support Team of MARS2013. He is responsible for managing the Mission Support Center facility and ensuring teams have the necessary resources to function properly. He also supports MediaCom in tracking news about MARS2013 and in archiving images, as well as audio and video media. He lives in Upper Austria.

Space & MARS2013

How did you first get in touch with the topic of space / astronomy / analog research?

When I was 15 years, my uncle – a priest – gave me a little book about our solar system. But, I really started to take an interest in space when my son conducted research for a high-school thesis with the topic “Photometric Effects of Binary Star Systems”.

When did you first hear about the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)?

Before it was founded.

How did you learn about the “MARS2013” mission?

I already knew about the idea at the beginning of the PolAres program.

Why did you choose to participate?

The project is fascinating and there was never any doubt that I would want to participate in some shape or form.

What was your first impression when you got involved with the OeWF team?

There is no chitchatting. This is a can-do atmosphere.

What is your personal goal in this mission?

I would like to contribute to the success of the project with whatever I do and also would like to study individual and group behaviour.

Work, Life & Family

What I do for a living:

I retired two years ago as a detective from the police force. In my free time, I shoot commercial video footage from a model helicopter with a former colleague.

A typical day in my life looks like this:

At minimum one hour of work for the OeWF and then planning of aerial footage recording and the marketing for it.

This is how I spend my spare time:

French horn, sport, photography.

Family status:

Married

How my friends would describe me:

Very detail oriented in most things, being a dreamer sometimes, open to new ideas, having the unshakable belief that the impossible can happen.

Me, Myself & I

These things are precious to me:

Family, compassion, relaxation, rest.

What drives me crazy:

If someone tries to use me to do his job.

Something I would never do:

Scuba diving in a dark shipwreck.

One important thing other people should know about me:

Trust is very important to me.

To relax I absolutely need:

Silence, and music by Joan Baez.

For this I would do almost anything:

Styrian prime boiled beef.

Something that once changed my life:

We are all constantly changing and not always is that triggered by big events.

What is the most unusual / challenging / exciting / scary / funny thing you ever experienced?

I was flying in a police helicopter and we almost collided with a high-voltage power line. That was very thrilling.

Goal(s) & Motto

Something I would love to learn or to achieve:

I don’t know where to start!

My Motto / A saying I can identify with:

Don’t dream your life – live you dream.

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