How a Belgian test pilot became Europe's first orbital commander
In short: Before commanding the International Space Station, Frank de Winne mastered the art of high-stakes flight testing. From Mirage V jets to the Soyuz spacecraft, discover the journey of an astronaut who transitioned from combat sorties to managing complex science experiments in microgravity.
Frank de Winne’s path to space began in the cockpit of high-performance aircraft. After completing Belgian Air Force pilot training in 1986, he flew Mirage V jets and later served as a senior test pilot. His career involved critical technical roles, such as working on the Mirage Safety Improvement Programme in Paris in 1989 and conducting radar testing on F16 aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California, between April 1995 and July 1996.
His military experience was marked by significant leadership and combat roles. As Squadron Commander of the 349th Fighter Squadron from August 1998 to January 2000, he led a Belgian/Dutch detachment during operation Allied Force, overseeing approximately 2,000 sorties. De Winne personally logged 17 combat sorties and over 2,300 hours of flight time across various aircraft, including the Jaguar and Tornado.
Joining the ESA Astronaut Corps in January 2000, de Winne transitioned to orbital operations. During his 11-day Odissea mission in late 2002, he performed 23 experiments involving life and physical sciences. He later achieved a milestone during the Oasiss mission, from May 27 to December 1, 2009, becoming the first European commander of the ISS. During this long-duration flight, he managed complex robotic tasks, such as docking Japan's HTV cargo vehicle and operating the Japanese robotic arm to transfer experiments to the Kibo Laboratory.
Today, the legacy of such missions continues through initiatives like the YouTube Space Lab, which invites students aged 14-18 to propose experiments for the ISS.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Frank de Winne on Space Lab
- Also: Frank De Winne
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