Frank De Winne and Roberto Vittori training

Left to right: European astronauts Frank De Winne and Roberto Vittori during their training, in October 2001, in Star City facilities.
Frank De Winne has been assigned to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2002 on a Russian Soyuz launcher. He will be flight engineer on a taxi flight, a 10-day mission with the main purpose of exchanging the Soyuz capsule, which is permanently docked with the Station to serve as a rescue vehicle, if needed.
A substantial scientific experimental programme will also be conducted during the mission, including experiments led by Belgian scientists.
April's scheduled Soyuz launch - a taxi flight to the International Space Station - will carry with it a European astronaut on his maiden voyage into orbit. For Italian Roberto Vittori, the launch will mark a literal high point in his career so far. And although he has never been in space before, he will be bringing a wealth of flying experience to the mission.