Space Science and Emerging Space Technologies

Dr. Vladimir Pletser earned a Master of Engineering in Mechanics (1979), a Master of Sciences in Geophysics (1980), and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics (1990) from the University of Louvain, Belgium. He currently serves as Director of Space Training Operations at Nautexe Global. Previously, he worked for 30 years at the European Space Agency (ESA) as Senior Physicist–Engineer and was responsible for the ESA aircraft parabolic flight program. He has participated in thousands of microgravity flights and holds a Guinness World Record for the number of aircraft used in parabolic flight campaigns. He has served as Visiting Professor and Scientific Adviser at several international institutions and has contributed extensively to space research, astronaut training, and microgravity sciences.

• Space Science and Technology
• Microgravity Research
• Astrophysics
• Fluid Physics
• Protein and Zeolite Crystallization
• Space Instrumentation
• Human Spaceflight
• Astronaut Training
• Parabolic Flight Research
• International Space Station Experiments
• Mars Exploration and Mission Simulation

• Director of Space Training Operations, Nautexe Global
• Former Senior Physicist–Engineer, European Space Agency (ESA)
• Former Visiting Professor and Scientific Adviser, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• ESA Aircraft Parabolic Flight Program Manager
• Astronaut Training Instructor for ESA, NASA, and DLR Astronauts
• ESA Astronaut Candidate
• Payload Specialist Candidate for Spacelab Missions
• Crew Commander in Mars Mission Simulation Campaigns
• Visiting Professor at more than 30 Universities Worldwide
• Member of the International Academy of Astronautics and other scientific organizations

1. A.H.A Hekmatikar, Pletser V. "Physical Activity Countermeasures for Long-Duration Mars Missions: Transit, Surface Operations, and Return", to be submitted, 2026.
2. Pletser V., Evetts S. "Astronaut Selection in the Modern Era: Criteria, Procedures, and Comparative Practices at NASA and ESA", Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, submitted, 2026. See preprint (doi.org/10.20944/preprints202512.1671.v1)
3. Evetts S., Pletser V. "Training for Space: A Paradigm Shift in the Means to Prepare for Spaceflight", Analog Astronaut Research Journal, under revision, 2026.
4. Evetts S., Healey B., Morris-Patterson T., Pletser V. "Astronaut Selection: Implications for the New Era of Spaceflight", Astronautics, Vol. 1, Iss. 1, 7, 2026. doi.org/10.3390/astronautics101000. See also preprint (doi.org/10.20944/preprints202512.2414.v1).
5. Pletser V., Evetts S. "Astronaut Training in the New Era of Spaceflight: An Overview", Journal of Space Safety Engineering, submitted, 2026. See preprint (doi.org/10.20944/preprints202512.1628.v1).
6. Pletser V., Evetts S., Drew M., Lucas J.F., Vickers J. "Blue Abyss to Enable Gravity-Related Research and Training", South Florida Journal of Development, 6(1), e4934, 2025. (doi.org/10.46932/sfjdv6n1-023)
7. Gontier C., Caprace D.G., Scoubeau M., Iranmanesh M., Pletser V. "Experimental characterization of weightlessness during glider parabolic flights", Microgravity, Science and Technology, 32, 1121–1132, 2020. (doi.org/10.1007/s12217-020-09836-6) See also here.
8. Pletser V., Evetts S., Vickers J., Parazynski S. "Commercial Space Flight Preparation and Extra Vehicular Activities Training: The Next Generation", New Space, Journal of Space Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 7(3), 120-125, 2019. (doi.org/10.1089/space.2019.0019)
9. Pletser V. "Microgravity Research Conducted by Prof. J.C. Legros during Parabolic Flights: Notes on a Historical Perspective", Microgravity Science and Technology, 31(5), 445-463, 2019. (doi 10.1007/s12217-019-09718-6)
10. Pletser V., Frischauf N., Cohen D., Foster M., Spannagel R., Szeszko A., Laufer R. "First Middle East Aircraft Parabolic Flights for ISU Participant Experiments", Microgravity Science and Technology 29(3), 209-219, 2017. (doi 10.1007/s12217-017-9539-8)
11. Pletser V., Rouquette S., Friedrich U., Clervoy J.F., Gharib T., Gai F., Mora C. "The first European parabolic flight campaigns with the Airbus A310 ZERO-G", Microgravity Science and Technology 28(6), 587–601, 2016. (doi 10.1007/s12217-016-9515-8)
12. Pletser V. "European aircraft parabolic flights for microgravity research, applications and exploration: a review", invited review paper, REACH – Reviews in Human Space Exploration, Vol. 1, 11–19, 2016. (doi 10.1016/j.reach.2016.05.002)
13. Pletser V., Migeotte P.F., Legros J.C., Deneyer B., Caron R. "The Suborbital Research Association: Using suborbital platforms for scientific and student experiments", Microgravity Science and Technology, 28, 1-16, 2016. (doi 10.1007/s12217-016-9502-0)
14. Pletser V., Rouquette S., Friedrich U., Clervoy J.F., Gharib T., Gai F., Mora C. "European parabolic flight campaigns with Airbus A300 ZERO-G: looking back at the A300 and looking forward to the A310", Advanced Space Research, 56(5), 1003-1013, 2015. (doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2015.05.022)
15. Pletser V., Harrod J. "The Science of Gravity; A new era of ESA experiments on parabolic flights", ESA Bulletin 160, 22-33, 2014.
16. Pletser V. "Are aircraft parabolic flights really parabolic?", Acta Astronautica 89, 226–228, 2013. (doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.04.019)
17. Pletser V., Winter J., Duclos F., Friedrich U., Clervoy J.F., Gharib T., Gai F., Minster O., Sunblad P. "The first Joint European Partial-g Parabolic Flight Campaign at Moon and Mars gravity levels for science and exploration", Microgravity Science and Technology, special Issue ELGRA 2011, 24(6,) 383-395, 2012. (doi 10.1007/s12217-012-9304-y)
18. Pletser V., Pacros A., Minster O. "International Heat and Mass Transfer Experiments on the 48th ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign of March 2008", Microgravity Science and Technology, special Issue Two-Phase Systems, 20, 177-182, 2008.  (doi.org/10.1007/s12217-008-9039-y)
19. Pletser V., Pacros A., Minster O. "The ESA Parabolic Flight Programme for Physical Sciences", Journal of Japan Society of Microgravity Application, 25(3), 635-640, 2008.
20. Aubert A., Beckers F., Verheyden B., Pletser V. "What Happens to the Human Heart in Space? – Parabolic Flights Provide Some Answers. Cardiovascular response during gravity changes induced by parabolic flights ", ESA Bulletin 119, 30-38, 2004.
21. Pletser V. "Short duration microgravity experiments in physical and life sciences during parabolic flights: the first 30 ESA campaigns", Acta Astronautica, 55, 829-854, 2004. (doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2004.04.006)
22. Pletser V., Quadens O. "Degraded EEG response of the human brain in function of gravity levels by the method of chaotic attractor", Acta Astronautica 52-7, 581-589, 2003. (doi 10.1016/S0094-5765(02)00124-8). See also here.
23. Pletser V. "Gravity? No, thank you! - 4th part: Physiological effects of weightlessness" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 114(3), 96-103, 1998.
24. Pletser V. "Gravity? Still no, thank you! answer to the note of Mr E. Bernard" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 114(2), 60-62, 1998.
25. Pletser V. "Gravity? No, Thank You! 3rd part: Should one dwell on microgravity?" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology,113(4), 153-162, 1997.
26. Pletser V. "Gravity? No, Thank You! 2nd part: Is weightlessness without gravity?" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 113(2), 53-61, 1997.
27. Pletser V. "Gravity? No, Thank You! 1st part: Can inertia make us move?" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 113(1), 9-17, 1997.
28. Pletser V. "Microgravity research during aircraft parabolic flights: the 20 ESA campaigns", ESA Bulletin 82, 57-68, 1995.
29. Callens N., Ventura-Traveset J., De Lophem T.L., Lopez De Echazaretta C., Pletser V., Van Loon J. "ESA Parabolic Flights, Drop Tower and Centrifuge Opportunities for University Students", Microgravity Science and Technology, 23(2), 181-189, 2011. (doi 10.1007/s12217-010-9181-1)
30. Pletser V., Paulis P.E., Loosveldt E., Gering D., Body M., Schewijck R. "A new ESA educational initiative: Euro Space Center class teachers in microgravity during parabolic flights", Acta Astronautica, 57(12), 910-919, 2005. (doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro. 2005.03.075)
31. Pletser V., Sunblad P., Thonnard J.L., Lefevre P., McIntyre J., Kassel R., Derkinderen W., Penta M., Andre T. "Dexterous manipulation in microgravity in parabolic flights and on ISS", Journal of the British Interplanetary Society JBIS, 64(9/10), 335-340, 2011.
32. Pletser V., Mazzoni S., Minster O., Potthast L. "ESA’s research on growing from solutions in microgravity: The Protein Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility and future prospects with the Solution Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility", Journal of the British Interplanetary Society JBIS, 64(9/10), 330-334, 2011.
33. Pletser V., Bosch R., Potthast L., Lautenschlager P., Kassel   R. "The Protein Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility (PCDF) on board ESA Columbus Laboratory", Microgravity Science and Technology, 21(3), 269-277, 2009. (doi 10.1007/s12217-008-9093-5)
34. Pletser V., Mazzoni S., Bosch R., Potthast L. "The Solution Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility (SCDF) for microgravity investigations on biomolecular structures grown from solutions on board the International Space Station", International Journal of the Japan Society of Microgravity Application, 25(3), 573-578, 2008.
35. Pletser V., Bosch R., Potthast L., Kassel   R. "The Solution Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility, a European facility for microgravity research on structures from solutions on board the ISS", Fluid Dynamics and Materials Processing, 2(1), 65-76, 2006. (doi 10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.065)
36. Stapelmann J., Smolik G., Lautenschlager P., Lork W., Pletser V. "Towards protein crystal growth on the International Space Station (ISS) - innovative tools, diagnostics and applications", Journal of Crystal Growth, 232, 468-472, 2001. (doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(01)01082-X)
37. Pletser V., Minster O., Bosch R., Potthast L., Stapelmann J. "The Protein Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility, status of the ESA programme on the fundamentals of protein crystal growth", Journal of Crystal Growth, 232, 439-449, 2001. (doi 10.1016/S0022-0248(01)01158-7)
38. Pletser V., Stapelmann J., Potthast L., Bosch R. "The Protein Crystallization Diagnostics Facility, a new European instrument to investigate biological macromolecular crystal growth on board the International Space Station", Journal of Crystal Growth, 196 (2-4), 638-648, 1999. (doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0248(98)00865-3)
39. Pletser V. "The Bubble, Drop, Particle Unit on Spacelab LMS, nominal and troubleshooting operations", Acta Astronautica, 40(9), 639-654, 1997. (doi 10.1016/S0094-5765(97)00135-5)
40. Pletser V. "Role of the Astronaut in operating the Advanced Fluid Physics Module", Acta Astronautica, 36(4), 217-229, 1995. (doi.org/10.1016/0094-5765(95)00102-6)
41. Pletser V., Gonfalone A., Verga A., Raimundo F., Defilippi V. , Gily A. "The Advanced Fluid Physics Module: a technical description", Advances in Space Research 11(7), 101-105, 1991. (doi 10.1016/0273-1177(91)90268-O)
42. Manon J., Vanderdonckt J., Saint-Guillain M., Pletser V., Wain C., Jacobs J., Comein A., Drouet S., Meert J., Sanchez Casla I., Cartiaux O., Cornu O. "A Multi-session Evaluation of a Haptic Device in Normal and Critical Conditions: a Mars analogue Mission", International Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence - IJIMAI,9-3, 164-174, 2025 (doi 10.9781/ijimai.2025.04.001).
43. Manon J., Pletser V., Saint-Guillain M., Vanderdonckt J., Wain C., Jacobs J., Comein A., Drouet S., Meert J., Sanchez Casla I., Cartiaux O., Cornu O. "An easy-to-use external fixator for all hostile environments, from space to war medicine: Is it meant for everyone’s hands ?", Journal of Clinical Medicine, Special Issue "Advances in Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery", 12(14), 4764, 2023 (doi.org/10.3390/jcm12144764).
44. Manon J., Saint-Guillain M., Pletser V., Buckland D.M., Vico L., Dobney W., Baatout S., Wain C., Jacobs J., Comein A., Drouet S., Meert J., Sanchez Casla I., Chamart C., Vanderdonckt J., Cartiaux O., Cornu O. "Adequacy of In-Mission Training to Treat Tibial Shaft Fractures in Mars Analog Testing", Nature Scientific Reports, 13, Article number: 18072, 2023 (doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43878-1).
45. Saint-Guillain M., Vanderdonckt J., Burny N., Pletser V., Vaquero T., Chien S., Karl A., Marquez J., Wain C., Comein A., Sanchez Casla I., Jacobs J., Meert J., Chamart C., Drouet S., Manon J. "Enabling Astronaut Self-Scheduling using a Robust Modelling and Scheduling System: an assessment during a Mars analogue mission", Advances in Space Research, 2023 (doi 10.1016/j.asr.2023.03.045).
46. Thiel C., Ehrenfreund P., Foing B., Pletser V., Ullrich O. "PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah", International Journal of Astrobiology, 10(3), 177-190, 2011. (doi 10.1017/S1473550411000073)
47. Thiel C.S., Pletser V., Foing B. and the EuroGeoMars Team "Human crew related aspects for astrobiology research", International Journal of Astrobiology, 10(3), 255-267, 2011. (doi 10.1017/S1473550411000152)
48. Foing B.H., Stoker C., Zavaleta J., Ehrenfreund P., Thiel C., Sarrazin P., Blake D., Page J., Pletser V., Hendrikse J., Dirieto S., Kotler M., Martins Z., Orzechowska G., Gross C., Wendt L., Clarke J., Borst A., Peters S., Wilhelm M.-B., Davies G. & ILEWG EuroGeoMars 2009 support team, "Field astrobiology research in Moon-Mars analogue environment: instruments and methods", International Journal of Astrobiology, 10(3), 141-160, 2011. (doi 10.1017/S1473550411000036)
49. Pletser V., Foing B. "European contribution to human aspect field investigation for future planetary habitat definition studies: Field tests at MDRS on crew time utilization and habitat interfaces", Microgravity Science and Technology. 23(2), 199-214, 2011. (doi 10.1007/s12217-010-9251-4)
50. Pletser V. "A Mars Human Habitat: Recommendations on crew time utilisation and habitat interfaces", Journal of Cosmology, Special Issue on ‘The Human Mission to Mars: Colonizing the Red Planet’, 12, 3928-3945, 2010.
51. Pletser V., Lognonne P., Diament M., Dehant V. "Reply to the comment of Robert E. Grimm and David E. Stillman on “Subsurface water detection on Mars by astronauts using a seismic refraction method: Tests during a manned Mars simulation”", Acta Astronautica 64(5-6), 656–657, 2009 (doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2008.09.007)
52. Pletser V., Lognonne P., Diament M., Dehant V. "Subsurface water detection on Mars by astronauts using a seismic refraction method: tests during a manned Mars mission simulation", Acta Astronautica 64(4), 457-466, 2008. (doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2008.07.005)
53. Pletser V. "Simulation of a manned Martian mission in the Arctic Circle", ESA Bulletin 108, 121-123, 2001.
54. Pletser V. "Global Generalized Mersenne numbers: characterization and distribution of composites", International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Research, Volume 4, Issue 2, 5-46, 2024. (doi: 10.51483/IJPAMR.4.2.2024.5-4).
55. Pletser V. "Linear relations between numbers of terms and first terms of sums of consecutive squared integers equal to squared integers", Symmetry, Volume 16, Issue 2, 146, 2024. preprint (doi: 10.3390/sym16020146).
56. Pletser V. "Distribution of Prime Numbers and Fibonacci Polynomials", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, Volume 8, 31-38, 2024. (Doi: doi.org/10.30538/oms2024.0223).
57. Pletser V. "Global Generalized Mersenne numbers: definition, decomposition, and generalized theorems", Symmetry, 16(5), 551, 2024. (Doi: doi.org/10.3390/sym16050551; preprint at Doi: 10.20944/preprints202402.0545.v1)
58. Pletser V. "Congruence conditions on the number of terms in sums of consecutive squared integers equal to squared integers", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, in press, 2024. Preprint on ArXiv1409.7969.
59. Pletser V. "Euler's and the Taxi-Cab relations and other numbers that can be written twice as sums of two cubed integers", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, Volume 8, 25-31, 2024. (Doi: doi.org/10.30538/oms2024.0222); preprint on ResearchGate and ArXiv 2206.00465.
60. Pletser V. "Using Pell Equation Solutions to Find All Triangular Numbers Multiple of Other Triangular Numbers", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, in press, 2023. Preprint on Research Gate.
61. Pletser V. "Is the probability of tossing a coin really 50-50%? Part 2: Dynamic models with rebounds", Foundations, 2, 581–589, 2022. Preprint on ResearchGate and on Preprints (doi 10.20944/preprints202205.0064.v1).
62. Pletser V. "Is the probability of tossing a coin really 50-50%? Part 1: Static model and dynamic models without rebounds", Foundations Vol. 2, iss. 3, 547–560, 2022. Preprint on ResearchGate and on Preprints (doi 10.20944/preprints202205.0064.v1).
63. Pletser V. "Recurrent Relations for Triangular Numbers Multiples of Other Triangular Numbers", Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 53(3), 782–791, 2022. (doi.org/10.1007/s13226-021-00172-y)
64. Pletser V. "Congruence Properties of Indices of Triangular Numbers Multiple of Other Triangular Numbers", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 5-1, 262-269, 2021 (doi:10.30538/oms2021.0162)
65. Pletser V. "General solutions of sums of consecutive cubed integers equal to squared integers", Journal of Number Theory, 156, 394-413, 2015. (doi.org/10.1016/j.jnt.2015.04.023).
66. Pletser V. "On continued fraction development of quadratic irrationals having all periodic terms but last equal and associated general solutions of the Pell equation", Journal of Number Theory, 136, 339–353, 2013. (doi.org/10.1016/j.jnt.2013.10.008)
67. Pletser V. "Divisibility of products of two consecutive Fibonacci and Lucas numbers for prime sum of indices", Fibonacci Quarterly, Problem B-1037, 45-3, p. 277, 2007.
68. Pletser V., Huylebrouck D. "The Ishango Artefact: The Missing Base 12 Link", Forma 14-4, 339-346, 1999.
69. Pletser V. "Evolution of mean orbital spacing in planetary and satellite systems under tidal dissipation and nebular drag", Planetary Space Science, submitted, 2026. ArXiv:2601.16245.
70. Pletser V. "Annular structures in perturbed low mass disc-shaped gaseous nebulae: general, standard and polytropic models", Open Journal of Mathematical Sciences, Volume 8, 55-82, 2024. (doi.org/10.30538/oms2024.0226) (Preprint at arXiv:2204.01135, at ResearchGate, and Research Square, doi 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1394295/v1)
71. Pletser V. "Prevalence of Fibonacci Numbers in Orbital Period Ratios in Solar Planetary and Satellite Systems and in Exoplanetary Systems", Astrophysics and Space Science, 364-9, 158, 2019. (doi 10.1007/s10509-019-3649-2)
72. Pletser V. "Non-randomness of Exponential Distance Relation in the Planetary System: an Answer to Lecar", Advances in Space Research, 60(10), 2314-2318, 2017. (doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2017.08.021). See also here.
73. Pletser V. "Notes on an initial satellite system of Neptune", Earth, Moon & Planets 46, 285-295, 1989. (doi.org/10.1007/BF00117195)
74. Pletser V. "Exponential distance relations in planetary-like systems generated at random", Earth, Moon & Planets 42, 1-18, 1988. (doi.org/10.1007/BF00118035)
75. Pletser V. "Revised exponential distance relation for the Uranian system after the Voyager 2 fly-by", Earth, Moon & Planets 41, 295-300, 1988. (doi.org/10.1007/BF00113991)
76. Pletser V. "Commensurabilities between the Jovian satellites Himalia and Pasiphae", Bulletin of American Astronomical Society, 19(1), paper 03.20, p. 631, 1987.
77. Pletser V. "Exponential distance laws for satellite systems", Earth, Moon & Planets 36, 193-210, 1986. (doi.org/10.1007/BF00055159)
78. Pletser V. "Astronomy initiation in Kinshasa: report on an astronomical exhibition at the Kinshasa University" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 102(2), p. 48, 1986.
79. Pletser V. "The ESA Candidate Astronauts: selection and future" (in French), Ciel et Terre, Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Society of Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology, 108(4), 103-112, 1992.