Claude Nicollier

Claude Nicollier , born with Vevey in Suisse the September 2nd 1944 is Spationaute of the European space agency. It becomes in 1992 the first Suisse in space (Mission STS-46) and one of the first engineers, apart from the Americans, to have flown with the shuttle. Its role was to handle the arm of the shuttle.

Formation and first activities

In 1962, it obtains its baccalaureat with the gymnasium of the City with Lausanne
In 1970, it obtained a license in physical sciences with the Université of Lausanne

Of 1970 with 1973, Claude Nicollier works as scientist at the Institute of astronomy of the University of Lausanne and at the Observatory of Geneva.

1974, it enters then to the Swiss School of the civil aviation of Zurich before being committed as airline pilot on DC-9 by the company Swissair.

In 1975, it obtains a certificate of Astrophysique to the Université of Geneva

at the end of 1976, it accepts a purse of the European space agency (ESA), at space the Science department of Noordwijk (Netherlands) where it works as researcher with various missions of astronomy in the infra-red

In 1978, ESA selects it for the first group of European astronauts

In May 1980 it joined NASA while remaining in ESA to follow a training of specialist in mission.

In 1988, it follows a training of test pilot to the " Worsen test piles school" of Boscombe Down (Great Britain).

In parallel, as of 1966, it is also pilot of militia in the Swiss Armée, it has the rank of captain, it controls of Hunter and Tiger.

Activities of spationaut

Claude Nicollier has 4 flights with his credit.

Mission STS-46 in 1992 on board the Space shuttle Atlantis (July 31st at August 8th, 1992)
Mission STS-61 in 1993 on board the Space shuttle Endeavor (2 December 13rd, 1993)
Mission STS-75 in 1996 on board the Space shuttle Columbia (February 22nd at March 9th, 1996)
Mission STS-103 in December 1999 on board the Space shuttle Discovery (19 December 27th, 1999)

Family

He is married with Mexican and is father of two girls born in 1974 and 1978.

Today

He is professor with the federal Polytechnic school of Lausanne (FPSL) where he gives a course on space engineering. He is member of several associations, companies and clubs:

Swiss Astronomical Company of the Pacific
Association of the officers of the Swiss air force
Swiss Academy of the Engineers in Sciences
Member of the British Interplanetary Society
Member of honor of the Swiss Aéro club and the Company of the Engineers and Architects (SIA)
President of the Foundation of the Musée of the military aviation of Payerne
It sits at the board of directors of the Swatch Group

Decorations

4 medals of flight of NASA (1992, 1993, 1996 and 1999)
Price of honor of the Foundation Pro Aero, Swiss (1992)
Gold medal Yuri Gagarin of the International Aeronautical Federation (1994)
Medal of National money of the Academy of the air and space, France (1994)
Trophy for the crew of mission STS-61 of National Aeronautical Association (1994)
Price of the University of Lausanne (1994)
Doctorate of honor of the federal Polytechnic school of Lausanne (FPSL) (1994)
Doctorate of honor of the University of Geneva (1994)
Named professor at the federal Polytechnic school of Lausanne (1994)
Medal Albert Einstein (1998)

External bonds

(in) Biography of NASA
(Fr) a precise summary of the accomplished flights

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