Prof. Dr. Ir. Vladimir Pletser (PhD, MSc, MEng) is Director of Space Training Operations at Blue Abyss; previously, Scientific Adviser at the Centre for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, on microgravity research for parabolic flights and Chinese Space Station; and Senior Physicist-Engineer at ESA, developing instruments for microgravity research in fluid physics, protein crystallisation, zeolites and dexterous manipulation on ISS. He was also responsible for the parabolic flight programme, during which he participated in several hundred experiments. Astronaut Candidate for Belgium, he trained as Payload Specialist at NASA-JSC and participated in three Mars mission simulations in the Arctic Circle and the Utah Desert. Visiting Professor in 20 universities in Europe, USA, Africa, Israel, China, he published 6 books, 18 book chapters, 72 articles in refereed journals and 153 articles in international conferences proceedings. Member of the International Astronautical Academy and of several other academies and scientific organizations.