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Meet the NEEMO 18 and 19 Crews

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Photo of astronaut crew headed out on a boat to Aquarius Habitat for NEEMO)
Photo of astronaut crew headed out on a boat to Aquarius Habitat for NEEMO).

Twice in the summer of 2014, aquanauts participating in the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) will conduct activities on the ocean floor that will inform International Space Station and future exploration activities. NASA and three international space agencies will come together 62 feet underwater off the coast of Key Largo for the 18th and 19th NEEMO missions. 

NEEMO 18 CREW

Aki Hoshide – NEEMO 18 Commander

NEEMO 18 Commander

Akihiko Hoshide

JAXA Astronaut

Akihiko Hoshide was born in 1968 in Tokyo. He received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Keio University in 1992 and a master of science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Houston, Cullen College of Engineering in 1997.

Hoshide joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA, currently Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in 1992 and worked as a member of NASDA’s Nagoya office for two years. At the Nagoya office, he was involved in the development of the H-II rocket. From 1994 to 1999, he worked as an astronaut support engineer for the NASDA Astronaut Office, supporting the development of the astronaut training program and the evaluation of crew interfaces designs. He also supported astronaut Koichi Wakata during his training and mission on the STS-72 mission.

In February 1999, Hoshide was selected by NASDA as one of three Japanese astronaut candidates for the International Space Station (ISS), together with Dr. Satoshi Furukawa and Naoko Yamazaki.

Hoshide started NASDA’s Basic Training program in April 1999 and was certified as an astronaut in January 2001. He then participated in ISS Advanced Training, while working on development of the hardware and operation of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” and the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV).

In May 2004, Hoshide was certified as a Soyuz-TMA Flight Engineer. He was dispatched to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in June 2004. He went through training (Astronaut Candidate Training) at JSC for about a year and eight months, and was qualified for flight assignments aboard the space shuttle as a Mission Specialist in Feb, 2006.

In March 2007, Hoshide was selected as a crew member for the STS-124 (1J) mission, the second of three Kibo assembly-related missions, which delivered the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” to the International Space Station (ISS).

In June 2008, he flew to the ISS on the STS-124 mission. He installed Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM) on the ISS using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). He also operated the SSRMS for relocation of the Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS). During the mission, he performed Kibo-related activities, such as activations of the PM and Kibo’s robotic arm, the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS).

In November 2009, he was assigned as a flight engineer for the ISS Expedition 32/33 mission.

From July to November 2012, he stayed on the ISS for 124 days as a flight engineer for the Expedition 32/33 mission. His mission included experiments in Kibo, ISS maintenance, three times of Extravehicular Activity (EVA), and deployment of CubeSats using the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). He also supported the arrivals and departures of various spacecrafts including H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) KOUNOTORI3, and Dragon cargo spacecraft (SpX-1). He flew on the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft (31S) for both launch and return.

Jeanette Epps

Jeanette J. Epps (PH.D.)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in Syracuse, New York. Enjoys traveling, reading, running, mentoring, scuba diving and family.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Thomas J. Corcoran High School, Syracuse, New York in 1988; received a bachelor of science degree in Physics from LeMoyne College in 1992 and master of science degree and doctorate of philosophy degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1994 and 2000, respectively.

ORGANIZATIONS: AIAA, Member of the Society for Science & the Public

SPECIAL HONORS/AWARDS: NASA GSRP Fellowship 1996-1997, 1997 1998 and 1998-1999; Exceptional Performance Award 2003, 2004 and 2008; inducted into the University of Maryland, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Academy of Distinguished Alumni 2012

EXPERIENCE: a NASA Fellow during graduate school, Dr. Epps authored several highly referenced journal and conference articles describing her research. Her graduate research involved extensive testing of composite swept-tip beams, comparative analysis of analytical models and experimental data for shape memory alloys and the application of shape memory alloy actuators for tracking helicopter rotor blades. After completing graduate school, Dr. Epps spent more than 2 years working at Ford Motor Company as a Technical Specialist in the Scientific Research Laboratory. Before leaving Ford, she completed proof-of-concept work on using magnetostrictive actuators to reduce vibrations that enter a vehicle via the suspension control arms, which resulted in a provisional patent. Also while at Ford, Dr. Epps participated in research involving automobile collision location detection and countermeasure systems, which resulted in the granting of a U.S. Patent. In 2002, Dr. Epps joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where she spent more than 7 years working as a Technical Intelligence Officer. She received multiple performance rewards for her work at the CIA.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Dr. Epps was selected in July 2009 as 1 of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. She recently graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.

Thomas Pesques

Thomas Pesquet

ESA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in Rouen, France, on 27 February 1978, Thomas Pesquet is a black belt in judo and enjoys basketball, jogging, swimming, squash and outdoor sports such as mountain biking, kite surfing, sailing, skiing and mountaineering. He also has extensive experience in scuba diving and skydiving. His other interests include travelling, playing the saxophone and reading.

EDUCATION: Thomas graduated from the competitive French “classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles” at the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen, France, in 1998.

In 2001, he received a master’s degree from the École Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace in Toulouse, France, majoring in spacecraft design and control. He spent his final year before graduation at the École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada, as an exchange student on the Aeronautics and Space Master course.

Thomas graduated from the Air France flight school in 2006. This led to an Air Transport Pilot License-Instrument Rating (ATPL-IR).

ORGANISATIONS: Thomas is a member of the French Aeronautics and Astronautics Association (3AF) and of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

EXPERIENCE: From April to September 2001, Thomas was a trainee engineer with Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France, where he developed a satellite system design tool using concurrent engineering techniques.

From October 2001, he worked as a spacecraft dynamics engineer on remote sensing missions for GMV S.A. in Madrid, Spain.

Between 2002 and 2004, Thomas worked at the French space agency, CNES, as a research engineer on space mission autonomy. He also carried out studies on future European ground segment design and European space technology harmonisation. From late 2002, he was a CNES representative at the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems, working on cross-support between international space agencies.

An avid private pilot in his spare time, Thomas was selected in 2004 for Air France’s flight training programme. He went on to become a commercial pilot for the airline, where he started flying the Airbus A320 in 2006. Having logged more than 2300 flight hours on commercial airliners, he became a type rating instructor on the A320 and a Crew Resource Management instructor.

Thomas was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009. He joined ESA in September 2009 and completed basic training in November 2010. After graduation, he worked as a Eurocom, communicating with astronauts during spaceflights from the mission control centre. He was also in charge of future projects at the European Astronaut Centre, including initiating cooperation with new partners such as China.

To be ready for a space mission, he received further technical and operational training in Europe, Russia and the USA: on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, on the US and Russian spacesuits, and on Space Station systems. He took part in exploration training courses: living and working underground on ESA’s CAVES training course in 2011, and underwater on NASA’s Seatest-2 mission.

On 17 March 2014, Thomas was assigned to a long-duration mission on the International Space Station. He will be leaving our planet for six months in 2016.

Mark Vande Hei

Mark T. Vande Hei (COLONEL, U.S. ARMY)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in 1966 in Falls Church, Virginia. He and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of two children. He enjoys exercise, camping and reading. His parents, Thomas and Mary Vande Hei, reside in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Julie’s mother, Patricia Murrell, resides in California. Julie’s father, Clyde Murrell, is deceased.

EDUCATION:

Saint Joseph’s High School, Metuchen, New Jersey

Benilde-Saint Margaret’s High School, Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, 1985

Bachelor of Science in Physics, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

Master of Science in Applied Physics, Stanford University, 1999

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

SPECIAL HONORS: Three Meritorious Service Medals; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; five Army Achievement Medals; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Southwest Asia Service Medal; various other campaign and service awards; NASA Achievement Medal; JSC Superior Achievement Award; previous captain of the Saint John’s Ranger Challenge Team.

EXPERIENCE: Vande Hei was commissioned through ROTC following graduation from Saint John’s University in 1989. After graduating from the Army’s Engineer Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, he reported to the 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment (Airborne Battalion Combat Team), Caserma Ederle, Italy. His roles there included combat engineer platoon leader, heavy engineer platoon leader, cold-weather-training officer, and support platoon leader. As a combat engineer platoon leader, he served in Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort. In 1994, he reported to the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado. While there, Vande Hei served in the staff of the 299th and 4th Engineer Battalions, and then commanded C Company, 4th Engineer Battalion. After completing a Master of Science Degree in 1999, he served as an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. In 2003, he reported to the Army’s 1st Space Battalion at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. There, he served as an Army space support team leader, then as the battalion’s operations officer. As an Army space support team leader, Vande Hei deployed to Iraq for 12 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Military training Vande Hei completed includes the Army Air Assault Course, Parachutist Course, German Winter Operations Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Battalion Maintenance Officers’ Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College and the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Vande Hei reported to the Johnson Space Center in July 2006 to serve as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center, Houston. He served as an International Space Station CAPCOM for Expeditions 15 to 20 and STS-122, 123, 124, 126 and 127.

Vande Hei was selected in June 2009 as a member of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He completed astronaut candidate training in June 2011 and is now qualified for future flight assignment. From June 2012 to May 2013, he served as the Astronaut Office’s Director of Operations in Russia. He currently works in the Astronaut Office’s CAPCOM Branch.

NEEMO 19 CREW

Randy “Komrade” Bresnik – NEEMO 19 Commander

NEEMO 19 Commander

Randolph J. “Komrade” Bresnik (Colonel, USMC)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born September 11, 1967 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Considers Santa Monica, California to be his hometown. Married to the former Rebecca Burgin of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, they have a son and a daughter. He enjoys travel, music, photography, weight training, sports, scuba diving, motorcycling, and flying warbirds. His father Albert ‘Randy’ Bresnik resides in Santa Monica, California.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, California, in 1985. B.A. in Mathematics from The Citadel, 1989. M.S. in Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 2002. Graduate of Air War College, 2008.

ORGANIZATIONS: Associate Fellow, Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Association of Space Explorers. Association of Naval Aviation.

AWARDS: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), Presidential Unit Citation and various other service awards.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Graduate: The Citadel NROTC, Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, Navy Flight Training. “Iron Mike” Physical Fitness Award, USMC Officer Basic School. The Outstanding Student Award, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Empire Test Pilot School Award, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Stephen A. Hazelrigg Memorial Award for Best Test Pilot/Engineer Team, Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron. “Best Paper” Award, European Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium. Honorary Doctor of Aeronautics from The Citadel, 2010.

EXPERIENCE: Bresnik received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1989. After graduation he attended The Basic School (TBS) and Infantry Officers Course (IOC) in Quantico, Virginia. He attended Primary flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Intermediate and Advanced flight training in Beeville, Texas, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1992. He completed initial F/A-18 training at Navy Fighter/Attack Training Squadron VFA-106, NAS Cecil Field, Florida. Upon completion of training he reported to Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron, VMFA-212 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, then MCAS El Toro, California, and additionally MCAS Miramar, California, where he made three overseas deployments to the Western Pacific. While assigned to VMFA-212, he attended the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI) and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Bresnik was selected for U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and began the course in January 1999. After graduation in December 1999, he was assigned as a F/A-18 Test Pilot/Project Officer at the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (NSATS). While at Strike, Bresnik flew the F/A-18 A-D and F/A-18 E/F in all manners of flight test. In January 2001, he returned to the USNTPS as a Fixed-Wing and Systems Flight Instructor, where he instructed in the F/A-18, T-38, and T-2. Bresnik returned to NSATS in January 2002 to continue flight test on the F/A-18 A-F as the Platform/Project Coordinator. In November 2002, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group Eleven (MAG-11) as the Future Operations Officer. In January 2003 MAG-11 deployed to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. From Al Jaber he flew combat missions in the F/A-18 with VMFA-225 in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was the Operations Officer of VMFA-232 when he was selected as an astronaut.

He has logged over 5,000 hours in 80 types of aircraft. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating and an Unlimited Piston Engine Letter of Authorization.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in May 2004. In February 2006 he completed Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. Bresnik completed his first flight on STS-129 in November 2009 and has logged over 259 hours in space, including 11 hours and 50 minutes in 2 EVAs.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-129 (November 16-29, 2009) was the 31st shuttle flight to the International Space Station. During the mission the crew delivered two Express Logistics Carriers (ELC racks) to the International Space Station, about 30,000 pounds of replacement parts for systems that provide power to the station, keep it from overheating, and maintain proper orientation in space. During the mission Bresnik performed two spacewalks for a total of 11 hours and 50 minutes of EVA . The STS-129 mission was completed in 10 days, 19 hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds, traveling 4.5 million miles in 171 orbits, and returned to Earth bringing back with them NASA Astronaut, Nicole Stott, following her tour of duty aboard the Space Station.

Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Hansen

CSA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born January 27, 1976, in London, Ontario, and raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig, Ontario, until moving to Ingersoll for his high school years.  Major Hansen is married with three children. He enjoys sailboat cruising and racing, rock climbing and mountain biking.

EDUCATION: Major Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science in Space Science (First Class Honours) from Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario (1999). He earned a Master of Science in Physics from the same institution in 2000, with a research focus on Wide Field of View Satellite Tracking.

ORGANIZATIONS: Canadian Armed Forces, 1994 to present

Special Honors: Canadian Forces Decoration – 12 Years of Good Service (October 2006), Canadian Air Force Pilot Wings (May 2002), Clancy Scheldrup Memorial Trophy – Outstanding Graduate on the Basic Flying Course (2001), Air Cadet League of Canada Award – Top Air Force Graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada (May 1999), The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).

EXPERIENCE: Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Major Hansen served as a CF-18 fighter pilot and held the position of Combat Operations Officer at 4 Wing in Cold Lake, Alberta. His responsibilities included ensuring the effectiveness of NORAD Air Defense Operations and the operability of Deployed and Forward Operating Locations (Bases).

From 2006 to 2007, Major Hansen served as a CF-18 fighter pilot in 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where his responsibilities included leading tactical formations and serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot. From 2004 to 2006, he served as a CF-18 fighter pilot in 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where his responsibilities included NORAD Operations, Deployed Exercises and Arctic Flying Operations. He completed his CF-18 Fighter Pilot Training in 410 Fighter Training Squadron from 2003 to 2004. His experience also includes frequent deployments to the United States and Europe.

Major Hansen’s flight experience began at the age of 12, when he joined the Air Cadet Program. He obtained both glider and private pilot licenses through this program by the age of 17. This training led to his acceptance to Collège militaire royal in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

NASA Experience: Major Hansen was one of two recruits selected in May 2009 through the third Canadian Astronaut Recruitment Campaign. He is one of 14 members of the 20th National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut class. In 2011, Major Hansen graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training, which included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station (ISS) systems, Extravehicular Activities (EVAs, or spacewalks), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, Russian language courses, and sea and wilderness survival training.

While waiting for a flight assignment, Major Hansen works as Capcom at NASA’s Mission Control Center—the voice between the ground and the ISS. He has recently acted as Lead Capcom for Expedition 39 as part of his current duties with the Training and Capcom branches. His responsibilities have also focused on establishing a new training program where astronauts simulate a week onboard the ISS to strengthen their expeditionary skills. In 2011–2013, he was assigned as Crew Support Astronaut for Expedition 34/35.

In addition to his day-to-day work, Major Hansen remains committed to building and maintaining his skills; he takes training in spacewalk and robotics while continuing to learn Russian. He has taken part in geological expeditions in the High Arctic and participated in the European Space Agency’s CAVES program, during which he lived underground for six days. Major Hansen also continues to fly the CF-18 fighter jet with the Royal Canadian Air Force and had the privilege to inspire young Canadians by flying the historical Hawk One F-86 Sabre jet.

Andy Mogensen

Andreas Mogensen

ESA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2 November 1976, Andreas enjoys rugby, basketball, and squash. He is also active in several adventure sports, including scuba diving, skydiving, kite surfing, kayaking and mountaineering. Other interests include science, in particular astrophysics, exobiology, and evolution.

Andreas blogs about space exploration and his astronaut training activities in Danish at videnskab.dk/profil/andreas-mogensen.

EDUCATION: Andreas finished secondary school in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1995, graduating with an International Baccalaureate from the Copenhagen International School.

He received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London in the UK in 1999. As part of his studies, he spent a semester at the Instituto Superior Tecnico in Lisbon, Portugal.

Andreas received a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States in 2007. His research interests include guidance, navigation and control of spacecraft during entry, descent and landing; mission analysis and design; and trajectory optimisation.

ORGANISATIONS:

Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

Member of the American Astronautical Society (AAS)

Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

EXPERIENCE: Andreas began his professional career as an engineer at Schlumberger Oilfield Services, where he worked as a drilling services engineer from 2000 to 2001. He was stationed in the Republic of Congo and the Republic of Angola working on offshore oil rigs.

From 2001 to 2003, Andreas worked at Vestas Wind Systems in Ringkøbing, Denmark as a control systems engineer in the research and development department, where he designed control systems for wind turbines.

From 2004 to 2007, while working towards his doctorate, Andreas was a research assistant at the Center for Space Research and a teaching assistant in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.

From 2007 to 2008, Andreas worked as attitude and orbit control systems engineer for HE Space Operations. He was subcontracted to EADS Astrium in Friedrichshafen, Germany for the duration of his employment, where he worked on ESA’s Swarm mission.

Before being selected as an astronaut in 2009, Andreas was a research fellow at the Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey in the UK. His research focused on spacecraft guidance, navigation and control during entry, descent and landing for lunar missions.

Andreas was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009 and completed the astronaut basic training programme at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany in November 2010. Since completing the astronaut basic training programme, Andreas has been trained and certified as a private pilot by the Lufthansa flight school and is trained and qualified for spacewalks using both the American EMU suit and the Russian Orlan suit.

Andreas participated in the ESA CAVES 2012 mission, as part of an international team of six astronauts, living underground for a week and exploring a cave system in Sardinia. The ESA CAVES training is a space-mission analogue, focusing on human behaviour and performance in extreme environments. Andreas was also selected to participate in the NASA SEATEST 2 mission, which took place in September 2013. The SEATEST 2 mission, at the Aquarius undersea research laboratory, is also an analogue for space exploration missions.

In addition to his training activities, Andreas worked for ESA on the Lunar Lander programme at ESTEC, the Netherlands where he was involved in the design of the guidance, navigation and control system for precision landing.

Andreas is a qualified Eurocom at the Columbus Control Centre in Munich, where he communicates with the astronauts on the International Space Station.

Andreas is also an adjunct lecturer at the National Space Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Space).

In August 2013 Andreas was assigned to a 10-day mission to the International Space Station to be launched 30 September 2015 on the Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft. He will be the first astronaut of Danish nationality to go to space.

Hervé Stevenin

Herve Stevenin

ESA’s Head of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Training at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany

Hervé Stevenin was born 25 September 1962 in France. He leads ESA Neutral Buoyancy Facility Operations and the EVA Training Unit at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne (EAC), Germany.

Hervé is ESA’s spacewalk instructor for European astronauts and leads the team that develops and implements spacewalk training at EAC. He has more than 20 years’ experience in astronaut training and providing operational support for astronauts and has received extensive astronaut training himself. He has provided EVA training at EAC to the six European astronauts selected by ESA in 2009. He is ESA’s Zero-G Instructor for European astronauts in parabolic flights and serves as Eurocom, the European Capcom that communicates from Columbus Control Centre with astronauts in orbit.

Hervé received spacewalk training in NASA’s EMU spacesuits at the Johnson Space Center and at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston in 2004. This spacewalk training experience led to the development and implementation of ESA’s unique EVA Pre-Familarisation, Proficiency Rebuilt & Recurrent Training course that is now part of ESA’s training for European astronauts. In 2011, Hervé completed six weeks of EVA training and certification in the Russian Orlan spacesuit, at Star City, in Moscow with ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen. He is currently the only “non-astronaut” European citizen with spacewalk training experience inside both NASA’s EMU spacesuit and the Russian Orlan. Hervé applied to become an astronaut in Europe’s astronaut selection of 2009 and was one of the last 45 finalists out of 8413 astronaut applicants from 17 European countries.

Hervé also served as Capcom and support diver the 16th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO), with ESA astronaut Timothy Peake in the Aquanaut Crew simulating deep-space asteroid exploration off the coast of Key Largo, Florida in 2012.

In September 2013, Hervé and ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy slipped into the roles of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for an underwater simulation test of Apollo 11 moonwalk tasks organised by COMEX off the coast of Marseilles, France. They tested a COMEX-designed prototype training-spacesuit based on the Orlan adapted to simulate Moon gravity.

Hervé Stevenin will serve as Aquanaut crew member on NEEMO 19 with ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen in September 2014.

EDUCATION AND CAREER:  Hervé first graduated from the competitive French “classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles” at the lycée Descartes in Tours, France. Hervé then graduated from the Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-ENSMA & ISAE-SUPAERO) specialising in orbital and space mechanics.

He worked for 12 years at the French government space agency CNES as Spot system operations engineer for four years and as manager of the Crew Training and Operations for six years for three French missions to the MIR space station. He was a French Capcom in the Russian TSUP Control Center in Moscow for these three missions.

When he joined ESA and the European Astronaut Centre in 1999 as the Head of the Payload Training Unit in the Astronaut Training Division, he developed and implemented the first ESA Payload Training Programme at EAC for Space Station astronauts and was later trained and certified as Columbus Operator. Since 2007, he leads the NBF Operations and spacewalk training at EAC. In parallel, from 2007 to 2012 Hervé served as Eurocom Team Lead before becoming responsible for the Aircraft Piloting Training for ESA astronauts. Hervé participated as astronaut instructor in many parabolic flights on the Caravelle Zero-G, the Airbus A300 Zero-G and NASA’s 930 (KC-135A). He has logged more than 800 parabolas in weightlessness experiencing almost five hours of weightlessness in total.

He served three times as member of the Search & Rescue Team in Kazakhstan for the spacecraft landing of European Astronauts.

PERSONAL DATA: Hervé is a certified PADI Open Water Scuba & Enriched Air Instructor and an Emergency First Response Instructor logging more than 400 dives. He has a Private Pilot License (EASA Part-FCL) and was certified in France for aerobatic flights in positive G. Hervé has skydiving experience and has logged 60 parachuting jumps.

Hervé is married and has one daughter.