Personals
Born in Brussels, Belgium, on 28 February 1956. Married to Jayne Dent; one child, Dimitri, born 8 December 1988
Education
- Graduated in Latin-Mathematics from the Institut Saint-Boniface of Brussels, Belgium (1973)
- Graduated from Scientifique spéciale from the Collège Saint-Michel of Brussels, Belgium (1974)
- Bachelor in Engineering Sciences (BSc), Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (1976)
- Civil Engineering in Mechanics, specialization in Dynamics and Systems, with Distinction, Catholic University of Louvain (1979)
- Master's Degree in Sciences (MSc) in Physics, specialization in Space Geodesy, with High Distinction, Catholic University of Louvain (1980)
- Doctorate in Sciences (Ph.D.) in Physics, specialization in Astronomy and Astrophysics, with the Highest Distinction, Catholic University of Louvain (1990)
Professional experience
Member of Advisory Board (since June 2025)
Titans Space Industries, Orlando, Florida, USA
Appointed Space Training Expert to train Titans Space Industries astronauts and Astronaut Designate.
Director of Space Training Operations (since 2018)
Blue Abyss Global, London, United Kingdom
Definition and implementation of space-related training activities and facilities for agency and private astronauts, including parabolic flights 2.0 and underwater EVA training.
Astronaut Training Program Development Lead, Saudi Space Agency contract (2023)
Visiting Professor – Scientific Adviser (2016-2018)
Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Recipient of the International Fellowship Initiative of the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Planning and coordination of parabolic flight experiments from CSU and from the space utilization system of China's manned space program
- Participation in the support of on-orbit microgravity research payloads on the Chinese Space Station
- Chief Scientist, Zero-G Experiment Center (OGEC)
- Preliminary definition of strategic study and mission planning for the Manned Mars Exploration Program
- Promotion of cooperation projects on scientific research and technology demonstration in the space utilization area
Senior Physicist – Engineer (1985-2016)
Microgravity Projects Division, ISS Utilisation and Astronaut Support Dept, Human Spaceflight and Operations Directorate, European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA)
Microgravity science payloads: Technical Development as Project Manager or System Engineer and Experiment Coordinator
- Dexterous Manipulation (DEX) payload to investigate hand coordination and object manipulation (2009-14), on ISS Columbus from 2017 to 2020
- Solution Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility (SCDF), to investigate zeolites, colloids, and proteins (2008-12), was foreseen for ISS Columbus
- Protein Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility (PCDF) to investigate protein nucleation and structures (1997-09), on ISS Columbus in 2009
- AquaHab to investigate symbiotic processes between fishes and algae (2006-07), on Russian satellite Foton M3 in 2007
- Zeogrid and Nanoslab payloads to investigate zeolite structures (2001-02), on Belgian Taxi Flight mission on ISS Zvezda and Columbus in 2002
- Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility (APCF) to investigate protein structures (1996-98), 5th flight on Spacehab/STS-95 in 1998
- Bubble, Drop, and Particle Unit (BDPU) to investigate fluid drops and bubble dynamics (1995-96), 2nd flight on Spacelab LMS in 1996
- Fluid Physics Facility (FluidPac-FPF) to investigate fluid interface dynamics (1993-94) on a Russian satellite Foton in 1999
- Advanced Fluid Physics Module (AFPM) to investigate open fluid columns and liquid interfaces (1985-93) on Spacelab D2 in 1993
- Microgravity Combustion facilities for the first European microgravity combustion experiments (1986-87) on ESA parabolic flights in 1987
- Microgravity Measurement Systems and Isolation Systems for ESA parabolic flights (1985-94) on ESA parabolic flights between 1986 and 1994
ESA aircraft parabolic flight projects: ESA Project Manager and Experiment Coordinator
- Organisation and leading of 65 ESA microgravity research campaigns with
- NASA KC-135/930 (1985-88)
- CNES Caravelle (1989-95)
- Russian Ilyushin Il-76 MDK (1994)
- Dutch NLR Cessna Citation II (2001)
- CNES-ESA Airbus A300 ZERO-G (1997-2014)
- CNES-ESA-DLR Airbus A310 ZERO-G (2015-16)
- Coordination of and in-flight scientific, technical, and operational support to 1000 physical, life sciences, and technology experiments
- Co-organisation and co-leading of two Joint European ESA-CNES-DLR Partial-g Parabolic Flight campaigns for experiments at Moon and Mars g-levels (2011-12)
Visiting Professor (since 1999) and Visiting Lecturer (1988-1996)
Lectures on space sciences, space technology, microgravity research, astronautics, astrophysics, SETI, analytical mechanics, and applied mathematics, at :
Europe
- European Space Agency (ESA) Academy, Redu, Belgium (10x, 2016-25)
- Belgium
- Catholic University Leuven - University of Gent, Faculty of Sciences (2020)
- Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve or Woluwe:
- Polytechnic School (2019, 2015, 2014)
- Faculty of Sciences (2009, 2006, 1988)
- Faculty of Applied Sciences (2007, 1994, 1991)
- Faculty of Medicine (2007)
- Engineering High School ECAM (2013)
- University of Mons (2013)
- Free University of Brussels, Permanent Education Council (CEPULB) (2011, 2009)
- University of Antwerp, Faculty of Sciences (1996, 1993)
- France
- University of Lille, Engineering School ISEN (2015, 2014, 2013)
- International Space University (ISU), Strasbourg (2013, 2010)
- University of Picardie, Saint-Quentin (2008)
- University of Lille 1, Research Institute of Mathematics Teaching (1999)
- Portugal
- University of Lisbon:
- Faculty of Medicine (2025, 2023, 2022, 2021)
- Faculty of Engineering (2019)
- Spain
- Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona (2016, 2009)
- Germany
- Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Astronautics (2013)
- Austria
- Technical University Graz (2011)
- United Kingdom
- University of West England (UWE), Bristol (2011)
- University of Aberdeen (2023)
- The Netherlands
- Free University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences (2009)
- Technical University Eindhoven, Faculty of Sciences (2004)
- Greece
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Sciences (2003)
- Metropolitan College, Thessaloniki (2019)
- Romania
- Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Carol Davila, Bucuresti (2023)
- Sweden
- Chalmers University of Technology (2025)
Africa
- R.D. Congo
- University Mapon, Kindu, Faculty of Engineering (2019, 2018)
- Free University of the Great Lakes States, Goma (2015)
- University of Kinshasa (2015)
- Burundi
- University of Bujumbura, Faculty of Sciences (1993)
Asia
- China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), YanQi campus, Huairou (2018, 2017)
- Beihang University, CSU-CAS Beijing (2017, 2016, 2015)
- Israel
- Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa (2016)
America
- Canada
- Ecole de Technologies Supérieures (ETS), Montreal (2014)
- USA
- Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio (2025)
- Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne (2012)
- Brazil
- Universidade Federal das Ciências da Saúde UFCSPA, Porto Alegre (2023, 2022)
Assistant Professor (1982-1985)
Physics Dept, Faculty of Sciences, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; detached at Physics Dept, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, R.D. Congo (ex-Zaire)
- Lecturing and practical exercises for courses in General Physics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Vibrating Phenomena, Astronomy, Geophysics, Analytical Mechanics, Transform Theory, Numerical Analysis, and Simulation
- Coordinator for Physics laboratories and astronomical observations with students
- Preparation of course syllabi
- Participation as Assistant Professor representative in Physics Dept councils
- Organization of two astronomical exhibitions at the University of Kinshasa and the French Embassy
- Seminars on astronomy, astrophysics, and geophysics
Research Engineer (1981-1982)
Biometry Dept, Faculty of Agronomy, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Research in statistics and applied mathematics, including:
- Statistical analysis for multivariate data treatment: modeling, simulation, and programming
- Fast creation of orthogonal polynomials applied to regressions for multivariate data treatment
- Algorithms for linear programming Simplex method applied to problems with integer numbers
Research Engineer (1980-1981)
External Geophysics Dept, Royal Meteorology Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Research on the Ionospheric Doppler effect, including :
- Analysis to evaluate vertical electronic content
- Algorithms for Transit satellites' orbit forecast
- Radio station monitoring, signal treatment, and computing
Junior Assistant Professor (1978-1980)
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Mentoring and practical exercise sessions at the Department of Applied Mechanics for the courses "Regulation and Automatism" by Prof. Gorez M. and "Navigation Ship Design" by Prof. Lederer A.
Academies and Societies Membership
Member of the International Academy of Astronautics, the European Space Agency Academy, and several other scientific and technical societies
Patent
'Method and device for the predictive determination of a parameter representative of the mental activity of a person' (ESA Patent 433, Oct. 1999; U.S. Patent 6 658 369, Dec. 2003)
Publications
876 publications, including:
- 6 books, 18 chapters in books, 73 articles in refereed journals, 156 articles in international Conference Proceedings
- e-publications: 90 new sequences and 58 extensions in the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences OEIS
- 32 Experiment and Technical Reports; 259 other scientific and technical publications; 104 Technical Documents (restricted distribution)
- 34 book reviews, 10 Publications as Scientific Editor, 8 theses and academic works, 12 course notes, and 16 other publications.
Conferences
810 presentations, including a presentation to His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium during His visit to ESTEC (2004)
Social media
- Titans Space Industries
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
- IAF Astro Directory
- Wikipedia
- Research Gate
- Google Scholar
- Lean Space Tech
- Biographies of astronauts and cosmonauts, Spacefacts
- Владимир Плетцер, Коcмичеcкия Энциклопедия ASTROnote (in Russian)
- Belgian Space Week 2022