European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut,
Head of the European Astronaut Centre Department
Frank De Winne graduated from the Royal School of Cadets, Lier, in 1979. He received a Masters degree in telecommunications and civil engineering from the Royal Military Academy, Brussels, in 1984. He was awarded the AIA Prize for the best thesis. In 1991, he completed the Staff Course at the Defence College in Brussels, gaining the highest distinction. In 1992, he graduated from the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) in Boscombe Down, UK, where he was awarded the McKenna Trophy.
First non-American pilot to receive the Joe Bill Dryden Semper Viper Award, in 1997, for demonstrating exceptional skills during a flight. Appointed ‘Officier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau’ by the Dutch Queen for showing leadership during operation Allied Force (July 1999). He was awarded the ‘Medal of Friendship’ by the Russian Federation. In 2003, De Winne received an honorary doctorate from the University of Limburg.
From 30 October to 10 November 2002, De Winne participated in the Odissea mission, a support flight to the ISS. He served as flight engineer on the updated Soyuz TMA spacecraft during ascent, and on Soyuz TM during reentry.
A prime task of the 11-day mission was the replacement of the Soyuz TM-34 vehicle attached to the ISS by the new Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft, in order to deliver a fresh lifeboat for the resident crew to be used in case of an emergency.
During his nine days on the ISS, De Winne, whose flight was sponsored by the Belgian Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC), carried out a programme of 23 experiments in the fields of life and physical sciences and education, including experiments in an important new research facility designed and developed in Europe, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG).
From 30 October to 10 November 2002, De Winne participated in the Odissea mission, a support flight to the ISS. He served as flight engineer on the updated Soyuz TMA spacecraft during ascent, and on Soyuz TM during reentry.
A prime task of the 11-day mission was the replacement of the Soyuz TM-34 vehicle attached to the ISS by the new Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft, in order to deliver a fresh lifeboat for the resident crew to be used in case of an emergency.
During his nine days on the ISS, De Winne, whose flight was sponsored by the Belgian Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC), carried out a programme of 23 experiments in the fields of life and physical sciences and education, including experiments in an important new research facility designed and developed in Europe, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG).