Dirk Frimout

The Viscount Dirk Frimout (born the March 21st 1941 with Poperinge) is a Belgian Astronaute . He was the first Belgian in space.

Biography

Dirk Frimout carried out one of its dreams of childhood - to fly in space. It belongs to the generation which saw leaving the first space engines, such as the Sputnik. Impassioned of technique since its more young age, it went in the Colorado as a post-doctoral researcher in an atmospheric and space physics laboratory in 1972 after having obtained its diploma for the occupation of electronics engineer (1963) and his doctorate in physics applied (1970) to the Université of Ghent.

Until 1978, it worked at the Belgian Institute of Aéronomie space to develop instruments able to make measures to space. In 1977, it presents for the first time its candidature for NASA as an astronaut; it is retained among the twelve first of a total of 2500 European candidates. Unfortunately, four candidates only appear in the final selection and Dirk Frimout occupies the fifth place. It is not let discourage for as much and is put at work like scientific coordinator and coach of the participants in the vol. In 1985, it presents its candidature again and is selected in the reserve of NASA. Its flight was to take place in 1986 but because of the explosion of the shuttle Challenger, it is cancelled and deferred to 1992.

Flight carried out

But it is the March 24th 1992, to replace a sick American astronaut, whom it takes part in the flight STS-Atlantis 45 around the ground in company of 6 Americans. On board, it was responsible for the scientific tests which were carried out. During the flight, he studies the atmosphere, and in particular the influence of the sun on the atmosphere of our blue planet. Its voyage in space was completed the April 2nd 1992.

Others

It was decorated with the rank of large officer of the Ordre of Léopold and received the title of Viscount.
Dirk Frimout wrote a book besides after its return of space on its voyage: blue Earth .
the group of the Snuls (humorous music) immortalisé it, in 1992, in the Belgian popular culture through a title entitled quite simply Dirk Frimout .

External bonds

(in) an official biography on the site of [[NASA]] the
(Fr) a precise summary of the accomplished flights

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