Vladimir Pletser

Statement of Purpose

Human spaceflight has represented the central thread connecting my scientific, operational, and exploratory activities throughout my professional life.

Rather than following a conventional astronaut pathway, I developed an interdisciplinary trajectory integrating scientific research, operational mission support, astronaut preparation activities, and direct exposure to microgravity environments. My objective has always been not merely to study human spaceflight, but to help enable it.

For more than three decades in human-spaceflight activities, including over thirty years at the European Space Agency (ESA) and associated international collaborations, I have worked at the intersection of science, operations, exploration, and astronaut preparation. During this period, I organized and led 65 ESA reduced-gravity research campaigns and participated in more than 90 flight campaigns involving physical sciences, life sciences, human physiology, technology development, and astronaut-support activities.

My operational experience includes 7,389 parabolas flown aboard fourteen different aircraft types, totaling 39 hours and 34 minutes of accumulated weightlessness exposure—equivalent to approximately 26 Earth orbits—and additional experience in simulated Martian and lunar gravity environments. I supervised more than 1,000 microgravity experiments, served as Principal Investigator of microgravity instrumentation investigations, operated numerous experiments, and participated as a human subject in physiological investigations supporting space missions.

I hold the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of aircraft types flown in parabolic flight. Beyond the record itself, these experiences provided direct exposure to the operational realities of altered-gravity environments and the human adaptation challenges that future crews will encounter.

Selected as an ESA astronaut candidate by Belgium, I completed astronaut-related preparation including payload-specialist training activities at NASA Johnson Space Center and underwater EVA training at the ESA European Astronaut Centre. I subsequently expanded my experience through Mars analog campaigns, where I participated in three international crewed Mars mission simulations, conducted 36 experiments, accumulated 44 hours and 30 minutes of simulated EVA time, and served in command responsibilities during one of the simulations and during several EVA expeditions.

My scientific and academic activities extend beyond operational work. I have authored and co-authored hundreds of scientific publications and presentations, reviewed scientific papers and books, taught at universities across several continents, and delivered hundreds of invited lectures in astronautics, microgravity science, exploration, and related disciplines. Through educational outreach initiatives, more than 16,000 students attended my lectures and presentations.

My work has also been recognized through international distinctions including ESA awards, International Academy of Astronautics honors, keynote distinctions, scientific publication awards, and contributions to astronaut-training initiatives.

Through these experiences I came to understand that future space crews will increasingly differ from the traditional astronaut model. Commercial orbital stations, lunar bases, and eventual Mars expeditions will require individuals who simultaneously function as scientists, operators, educators, explorers, and contributors to human performance and crew resilience.

My objective is not simply to reach space. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to humanity's sustained expansion beyond Earth by applying scientific understanding, operational experience, and commitment to exploration toward missions that increase human capability and knowledge.

Space exploration has always represented a collective endeavor larger than any individual. I would be honored to contribute my experience, skills, and dedication to that continuing effort.

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 (PhD) in Physics, specialization in Astronomy and Astrophysics, with the Highest Distinction, Catholic University of Louvain (1990)

Professional experience

Director of Space Training Operations (since October 2025)

NauteXe Global, Exeter, United Kingdom

Astronaut Training Lead

Member of Advisory Board (June-December 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 (2018-2025)

Blue Abyss Global, London, United Kingdom, and Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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 (2026, 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

950 publications, including:

- 6 books, 18 chapters in books, 78 articles in refereed journals, 157 articles and abstracts in international Conference Proceedings

- 32 Experiment and Technical Reports; 239 other scientific and technical publications; 47 preprints and abstracts

- e-publications: 90 new sequences and 58 extensions in the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences OEIS

- 34 book reviews, 10 publications as Scientific Editor, 8 theses and academic works, 48 course notes, 17 other publications

- 108 Technical Documents (restricted distribution)

Conferences

823 presentations, including a presentation to His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium during His visit to ESTEC (2004)

Social media

- LinkedIn

- Facebook

- IAF Astro Directory

- Biographies of astronauts and cosmonauts, Spacefacts

- Владимир Плетцер, Коcмичеcкия Энциклопедия ASTROnote (in Russian)

- Belgian Space Week 2022

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