About me

Welcome to my site. My name is Sebastian Feles. I am a scientist, inventor, and maker. My passion lies in empirical research, and I am an enthusiastic advocate for space exploration and fundamental research. I consider myself a technological and sociological utopian, navigating through the challenges of a post-utopian world. For me, the pursuit of knowledge and insight is the key to a brighter future, and with rationality, evidence, and a belief in progress, I believe this path can be forged.

I began my career as a biological technical assistant, later specializing in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biomedicine. My academic journey took me to the Technical College Cologne, Germany, where I studied biotechnology and genetic engineering.

I used to work in radiation biology and gravitational biology, studying the effects of micro- and hypergravity, as well as ionizing X-rays and heavy ion radiation on neuronal cells. Today, I continue my journey in the Aeromedical FabLab at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where I serve as the technical head and deputy group leader. My work now centers on pushing the boundaries of innovation and fabrication in the field of life science in space, combining cutting-edge technology with my passion for exploration and discovery in life science.

I am responsible for developing, designing, and building prototypes and custom solutions for a wide range of research applications. In the Aeromedical FabLab, I serve as the crucial link between pure biological research and engineering science, bridging the gap between the two worlds of biologists and engineers. I am involved throughout the entire process—from the initial conception of the biological questions and experiment design, to the development of the hardware needed to carry out the experiment, and the construction of that hardware and electronics. I oversee everything through to the final stages, whether it’s on the launch pad as the last of the scientists to stand at the hot rocket, pushing the experiments into place before launch or acting as the operator during a parabolic flight. By utilizing rapid prototyping, 3D printing as innovative design solutions, I ensure that these techniques are leveraged to advance our understanding of human biology in extreme environments, such as space.
I have the unique and extraordinary privilege of training astronauts as part of the ESA Astronaut Training Program, specifically in the field of gravitational biology. Guiding those who will venture into space through the complex and fascinating effects of gravity on biological systems is an incredible experience and responsibility, one that few scientists have the opportunity to undertake.

I have accumulated extensive experience in organizing and executing complex scientific campaigns, with a strong focus on launching biological experiments into space aboard sounding rockets. Over the years, I have led numerous missions at ESRANGE in Sweden, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, where we faced extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -38°C. Despite these challenges, I successfully guided these experiments through the launch process, ensuring they reached space and advanced our understanding of biology in extreme environments. My participation in a parabolic flight, where I experienced the extraordinary sensation of weightlessness firsthand, has only further fueled my passion and expertise in space-related research.

In addition to rocket launches, I have also conducted multi-week campaigns at heavy-ion particle accelerators in Germany (GSI), France (GANIL), and Japan (NIRS), contributing to groundbreaking research that is essential to radiation biology. These projects, often lasting several weeks, involved meticulous planning and coordination to address the scientific and logistical challenges necessary for advancing space research.”

One of the most extraordinary moments of my career was when I had the opportunity to participate in a parabolic flight and experience the unparalleled sensation of weightlessness. Floating through space, free of gravity’s pull, is something that only astronauts typically get to feel, and for a brief, awe-inspiring time, I was one of the few who could.

The moment gravity released its hold, I felt as though I was stepping into a dream, gliding effortlessly in an environment that defies our daily experience of the world. In that moment, I realized that only a handful of people were experiencing weightlessness right then—and I was one of them.

The sheer exhilaration of being weightless is indescribable—suddenly, the body becomes untethered from all the constraints of the Earth, and you float, suspended in an ethereal stillness, where movement is slow, graceful, and utterly freeing. It’s a feeling that cuts right to the heart of why I love science and space exploration. To have felt what only astronauts typically experience was deeply inspiring and has reignited my passion and commitment to the pursuit of space-related science. It’s a constant reminder that the sky isn’t the limit—there’s so much more beyond it. This profound experience motivates me daily, reminding me of the incredible possibilities that lie in the unknown and the uncharted.

Founder of Sebastian Feles – Assorted Scientific Services

I am the founder of Sebastian Feles – Assorted Scientific Services, a company focused on 3D printing and rapid prototyping. Through this venture, I aim to make scientific innovation accessible and to foster the spirit of invention in a rapidly evolving technological world.

Sebastian Feles – Assorted Scientific Services
Köln
Germany
service@science-feles.de

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

Robert Heinlein, Time Enough for Love