He shaped the scientific work of his department in a unique way - with extraordinary expertise, visionary thinking and a tireless commitment to research and teaching. For his research into the mechanics of muscle and bone, he used the special engineering expertise within the Institute and DLR. He also had a lasting influence on the institute with his expertise, his passion for space physiology and his level-headed manner.
Jörn Rittweger was an internationally recognised expert on the physiological effects of mechanical vibrations and a pioneer in the development of this method for preventive and rehabilitative applications in medicine and sport. In his research on the development and trainability of the musculoskeletal system from early childhood to old age and from patients to top athletes, he always bridged the gap between basic research and clinical application. Under his leadership, numerous experiments - including eight on the International Space Station ISS, three of them as Principal Investigator - were initiated and realised. The integration of space medicine into broad-based physiological and clinical research resulted in numerous reciprocal findings and applications.