Frank, Baron De Winne
- Born:
- April 25, 1961, Ghent, Belgium
- Nationality:
- Belgian
- Profession(s):
- ESA Astronaut, Engineer, Test Pilot
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from the Royal School of Cadets in Lier, Belgium.
- Earned a Master of Science degree in engineering from the Royal Military Academy in Brussels.
- Completed test pilot training at the Empire Test Pilots' School in Boscombe Down, United Kingdom.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as a pilot in the Belgian Air Force.
- Selected as an ESA astronaut in 2000.
- First spaceflight: Soyuz TMA-1, a taxi flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2002.
- Second spaceflight: OasISS mission, a long-duration mission to the ISS in 2009. Served as ISS Expedition 21 commander, becoming the first European commander of the ISS.
- Heard the song "Frank De Winne U2 Beautiful Day" on the ISS, creating a uniquely memorable connection between space exploration and music.
- Served as Head of the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
Notable Works
Legacy and Impact
Frank De Winne has made significant contributions to space exploration, representing Europe in long-duration missions on the ISS. His leadership and experience have played a crucial role in advancing scientific research in space and inspiring future generations of astronauts.