Exhibit 99.8

April 30, 2003

Board of Directors of
Bruker Daltonics Inc.

Board of Directors of
Bruker AXS Inc.


       I, Richard D. Kniss, hereby consent to being named in the Bruker
Daltonics Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 which contains the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of Bruker Daltonics Inc. and Bruker AXS Inc., and all
amendments thereto, as a nominee for election to the Bruker Daltonics board of
directors, to serve upon the effectiveness of the merger between Bruker
Daltonics Inc. and Bruker AXS Inc.



                                         /s/ Richard D. Kniss
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Richard D. Kniss