Frank De Winne

European Space Agency (ESA) • Gateway and ISS program manager

Frank de Winne became Head of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany in 2012. Since 2017, he has been responsible for International Space Station (ISS) operations at ESA, and in 2020 became ESA’s ISS Programme Manager. Currently, Frank simultaneously leads ESA’s Gateway and ISS Programme contributions. After completing a highly successful and decorated career as a test pilot for numerous European flight programmes, Frank joined ESA’s Astronaut Corps in 2000. He provided technical support for the X38 Crew Return Vehicle project, located at ESA's research and technology centre, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. From 30 October to 10 November 2002, Frank flew the Odissea mission, a support flight to the ISS. Frank’s prime task of the 11-day mission was to replace the Soyuz TM-34 vehicle attached to the ISS with the new Soyuz TMA-1. During his nine days spent on the ISS, Frank ran 23 experiments in life and physical sciences and education. From 27 May to 1 December 2009 Frank was sent on the OasISS mission, a long-duration flight to the ISS. As part of Expedition 21, Frank became the first European commander of the orbital outpost. He was also Soyuz TMA-15 and Expedition 20 flight engineer. He enjoys football, fishing and gastronomy.

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