Pesquet Thomas

Thomas Pesquet (Pesquet Thomas)

Thomas Pesquet is a French aerospace engineer and astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA). He was born on February 27, 1978 in Rouen, France. Selected by ESA in 2009, Pesquet has flown two long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and has become a prominent public figure in space exploration and science communication.

Space career and notable missions

Proxima (2016–2017): Pesquet’s first spaceflight, part of ISS Expedition 50/51. He launched on Soyuz MS-03 on November 17, 2016, arrived at the ISS, and returned to Earth on June 2, 2017 after about 196 days in space. The mission emphasized science experiments, robotics operations, and outreach from the orbital laboratory.

Alpha (2021): Pesquet’s second spaceflight, part of SpaceX Crew-2. He launched on April 23, 2021 and arrived at the ISS, becoming the first European to fly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. He completed the mission on November 9, 2021, spending roughly 199 days in orbit. During Alpha, he conducted experiments, helped with station maintenance, and shared extensive Earth-imaging and educational outreach with wide audiences.

News highlights

• 2016–2017: Successful completion of the Proxima mission with significant public engagement and media coverage of life aboard the ISS.
• 2021: Returned from the Alpha mission aboard SpaceX Crew-2; marked a milestone as the first European on a Crew Dragon mission and continued active public outreach, science communication, and Earth observation projects.

Recent projects and public activity

Since his spaceflights, Pesquet has remained a visible ambassador for space exploration and STEM education. His recent activity focuses on:

• Earth observation and climate science outreach, highlighting how changes on our planet can be monitored from space.
• Photography and storytelling from space, sharing high-resolution images of Earth and mission experiences with the public.
• Public engagement with schools, museums, and science programs to inspire interest in aerospace, engineering, and space missions.

Social media and public presence

Thomas Pesquet maintains active, verified public profiles on major social platforms. He uses these channels to share mission updates, space photography, educational content, and outreach messages related to space exploration and climate science. Platforms typically include X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where he posts images from space, Q&As, and information about ESA missions and Earth observation.

Education and professional background

Pesquet is an aerospace engineer and pilot. He joined the European Space Agency in 2009 as an astronaut and has since contributed to spaceflight operations, orbital science, and outreach. While precise institutional wording may vary, his background combines engineering training with hands-on experience in flight and spacecraft systems.

Official sources

For the most up-to-date and verifiable information, consult the European Space Agency’s official profile for Thomas Pesquet and ESA press releases. You can also follow his verified social media accounts on major platforms for mission updates and educational content.