Meet the Team
We have a highly skilled team working on inspiring projects with the aim of moving technology forward and conducting cutting-edge science.
Roel Eerkens
Founder
Being on the frontline of development and research is very important to Roel Eerkens. Space is part of this frontline
One of his strong suits is combining people's skills and being creative in both business and engineering. The space industry is not directly linked to creativity, yet solving complex problems is.
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Roel's focus within the T-Minus team is to make sure that the customers get what they require and to make sure that new projects are the best solution for the customer.
Hein Olthof
Founder
Hein Olthof's field of expertise are rocket propulsion, systems engineering, and rocket operations.
He acquired his M.Sc. title in Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology in 2013 with a thesis on solid rocket motor design and solid propellant development.
During his internship at Esrange Space Center as a test engineer and ground safety engineer he worked amongst others on the Mapheus-2 sounding rocket and the D-SEND balloon campaign
Eric Smit
Founder
Eric Smit has a Master’s degree in Electrical engineering, with a specialization in aerospace systems. He was introduced with space systems during his bachelor’s study, where he worked on the transmitter for the Delfi-C3 satellite.
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As T-Minus Engineering co-founder, Eric started working on the Delfi-n3Xt satellite, where his work mainly consisted of building the flight versions of many subsystems.
Mark Uitendaal
Founder
Mark Uitendaal is an aerospace engineer with a master degree from the Technical University of Delft. Mark was project manager and chief engineer of the STRATOS I project launched in 2009. This rocket achieved the European altitude record for amateur rockets.
He co-founded T-Minus Engineering, since he is a firm believer of making the sounding rocketry and space business cheaper and more efficient via miniaturisation and commercialisation, a goal which he tries to achieve via T-Minus Engineering.
Ron Wierdsma
Mechanical
Ron Wierdsma is a skilled manufacturer and the first full-time employee of T-Minus. After completing his internship he has been a core driver of the manufacturing process at T-Minus.
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His eye for quality and all round capabilities are essential to the company.
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His work has flown on almost all our missions and his hands-on approach is valued during operations.
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Lars Pepermans
Aerospace
Lars Pepermans is an Aerospace Engineer with a masters degree in Space Engineering from Delft University of Technology.
During his studies, he was chief recovery of the Stratos III project and chief engineer of the Supersonic Parachute Experiment Aboard REXUS (SPEAR).
His primary interest lays in the field of sounding rockets and Entry Descent and Landing systems.
Paul Beckers
Electronics
Paul Beckers has studied Electrical Engineering at Delft University of Technology.
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He worked on the Delfi-C3 and Delfi-n3Xt nano-satellites as part of a graduation project, with the focus on Ground Support Equipment and Attitude Determination and Control.
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Paul is also an alumnus of the university's solar racing team, known for their solar car "Nuna" that has participated in the World Solar Challenge since 2001, winning multiple editions.
Esmée Menting
Mechanical
Esmée Menting is a mechanical engineering student at Delft University of Technology, finalizing her master studies in Management of Technology with a thesis on parachute mortar systems.
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During her studies she was the team leader of the Supersonic Parachute Experiment Aboard REXUS (SPEAR) and led the assembly, integration and testing activities (AIT) for the mission.
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Esmée currently works on organizing and guiding the CanSat launch campaigns and team guidance.
Wim Jodehl
Aerospace
Wim Jodehl is an Aerospace student at Delft University of Technology, specializing in Space Engineering. During his studies he worked as a mechanical engineer on the Supersonic Parachute Experiment Aboard REXUS (SPEAR), focusing on launcher interface and ground systems.
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Wim is currently working on a research and development project for steerable recovery systems.
Bas Juffermans
Electronics
Bas Juffermans has studied Electrical Engineering at the Hogeschool Rotterdam, and is currently a master student at Delft University of Technology, specializing in Microelectronics.
Bas was introduced to T-Minus Engineering during his internship.
His focus is on developing reliable and energy efficient subsystems
with state of the art technology.