CAREER
Candidate for the Cosmonaut Training
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After graduating in electronics engineering at the Vienna University of Technology, Franz worked as an Assistant Professor when a newspaper announcement of a possible Austrian flight to the space station “Mir” caught his attention. He interrupted his doctor’s study to qualify as a candidate for the cosmonaut training at the Russian Juri-Gagarin-Trainings-Center.
Two years later Franz was chosen for the joint Austrian-Soviet Mission „Austromir“ and became the first and till now only Austrian to fly to space.
Program-Development Manager
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Back on earth, Franz Viehböck worked for the Austrian government giving lectures about his experience and scientific research on the space station “MIR”. In early 1994, following his ambition to enter the world of High Tech industry, he accepted a position with Rockwell Space Systems Division in Los Angeles, California.
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His forward-looking, optimistic and open-minded nature accelerated a remarkable career.
Director of International Business Development
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Shortly after the Boeing Company acquired the former Rockwell Aerospace and defense group, Franz became Director of International Business Development. In support of Boeing’s vision to become a global company, he went for an assignment to Austria as Director General and European representative for Boeing’s Space and Communication Group.
Technology adviser for the governor of lower austria
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In addition to his activities with Boeing, in March 2000 Franz Viehböck became Technology Adviser for the Governor of Lower Austria. In this function he developed a strategy to boost the development of technologies in the region.
Managing Director of
Berndorf Band​
After eight successful years within American space industry, Franz was ready for a new challenge: he accepted the position of the President of Berndorf Band, an innovative company belonging to the Berndorf Group.
Member of the management bord of the Berndorf Group​
January 2008 was marked with another change: Franz Viehböck became a member of the Management Board of the Berndorf Corporation.