Claude Nicollier is a Swiss astronaut and astrophysicist who is famous for being the first Swiss citizen to travel to space. He was born on September 2, 1944, in Vevey, Switzerland. Nicollier obtained a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Geneva in 1984 and began his career as a researcher in the field of astronomy.
In 1980, Claude Nicollier was selected as an astronaut candidate by the European Space Agency (ESA). He underwent intensive training and successfully completed numerous missions, making him one of the key figures in European space exploration. Nicollier flew on four Space Shuttle missions, including in 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1999. He performed a variety of tasks during these missions, ranging from conducting experiments related to astrophysics, space science, and technology, to repairing and servicing satellites.
Claude Nicollier's contributions to space exploration have been significant. He is known for his expertise in operating the Shuttle's robotic arm, which was essential for deploying and retrieving satellites. He also participated in the groundbreaking Hubble Space Telescope repair mission in 1993, which was considered a major success.
Throughout his career, Nicollier has received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding achievements in space exploration and scientific research. He retired from the European Space Agency in 2007 but continues to be actively involved in promoting space science education and inspiring young aspiring astronauts.
