Mr Christophe Rothmund

IN MEMORIAM: Academician Christophe Rothmund (1961-2026)

He was Analyst in Business Development and Corporate Historian for liquid propulsion at Airbus Safran Launchers’ Vernon plant, France. He was well known, particularly in Europe, for his contributions to the field of the history of astronautics. After being Technical Manager for Ariane 5 equipments, he managed Internal Communications. Then he joined the Propulsion Systems Advanced Projects Department. He actively contributed to the IAA History Symposia. His work on the history of French astronautics has contributed significantly to the overall study of propulsion, rocketry and spaceflight in Europe. He authored over 25 publications, a complete Corporate History of SNECMA Rocket Motor Division, and edited Proceedings of IAA History Symposia. He co-authored a popular science book on space. Member of the History Program Committee of IAC for more than 30 years, he was a key member of the History committee. The International Academy of Astronautics and particularly the space history community mourns the passing of Christophe. He was elected a Corresponding Member in 2009 and a Full Member in 2015.