Felix A. Dannert
Lead Instrument Scientist for the LIFE Space Mission at ETH Zurich
As Lead Instrument Scientist of the LIFE Space Mission at ETH Zürich, I am responsible for connecting the scientific objectives to tangible technical requirements. I build mission simulation software that connects the underlying astrophysics to instrument performance. This work predicts what LIFE will be able to detect and derives the scientific and technical requirements that follow from it. My strongest interest is the effect of instrument perturbations on the science performance of nulling interferometers.
In 2025, I defended my PhD in astrophysics at ETH Zürich, working on infrared direct imaging of exoplanets. Along the way, I hunted for exoplanets with the Very Large Telescope (VLT), helped commission the VLT instrument ERIS, and began developing the instrument simulators for the LIFE Space Mission.
Enabling students to make ‘first contact’ (pun intended) with astrophysics is something I care about deeply, and I’m proud of the progress we made with the Lecture Series: Space Research and Exploration at ETH Zürich.
Space, telescopes, teaching, exoplanets: I’m always excited to chat about any of it, so please feel free to reach out via email.