GRIPEN INTERNATIONAL2007-03-28 09:56:05
Space Shuttle Astronaut flies Gripen
When European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Christer Fuglesang took to the skies in Gripen, he was the first astronaut ever to fly the Swedish new generation fighter aircraft. ESA astronaut Fuglesang in Gripen
In December 2006, Christer Fuglesang became the first Swedish astronaut in space when as a mission specialist in the ‘Discovery' space shuttle crew, he took part in the Celsius mission, the latest stage in the ongoing construction of the International Space Station (ISS). During the mission, Fuglesang made three memorable space walks, watched by millions of people around the world.
Just three months later, Fuglesang experienced another ‘first' when he became the world's first astronaut to fly Gripen at Saab, Linköping, the ‘home' of the Gripen. "A great experience� Fuglesang said following the flight. During an 85 minute flight over the Baltic Sea, Fuglesang reached Mach 1.2 and experienced Gripen's outstanding performance, handling and human machine interaction, as Saab test pilot Magnus Ljungdahl handed over the controls to the astronaut. "I got to roll, loop and get a feeling of some real G-forces� Fuglesang said.
During his visit, Fuglesang also visited Saab Space, the Swedish Air Force Flying Training School, Linköping University and the Swedish Air Force Museum, where he was inducted into the Gripen Order of pilots who have flown Gripen, by Stig Holmström the legendary Gripen test pilot who flew Gripen on its original maiden flight.
Christer Fuglesang is hoping to have the opportunity to see Earth from space once again, and there is a possibility that this could happen within the next three years. "NASA has an agreement with ESA for another space mission and I'm the first in line to go.�
When European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Christer Fuglesang took to the skies in Gripen, he was the first astronaut ever to fly the Swedish new generation fighter aircraft. ESA astronaut Fuglesang in Gripen
In December 2006, Christer Fuglesang became the first Swedish astronaut in space when as a mission specialist in the ‘Discovery' space shuttle crew, he took part in the Celsius mission, the latest stage in the ongoing construction of the International Space Station (ISS). During the mission, Fuglesang made three memorable space walks, watched by millions of people around the world.
Just three months later, Fuglesang experienced another ‘first' when he became the world's first astronaut to fly Gripen at Saab, Linköping, the ‘home' of the Gripen. "A great experience� Fuglesang said following the flight. During an 85 minute flight over the Baltic Sea, Fuglesang reached Mach 1.2 and experienced Gripen's outstanding performance, handling and human machine interaction, as Saab test pilot Magnus Ljungdahl handed over the controls to the astronaut. "I got to roll, loop and get a feeling of some real G-forces� Fuglesang said.
During his visit, Fuglesang also visited Saab Space, the Swedish Air Force Flying Training School, Linköping University and the Swedish Air Force Museum, where he was inducted into the Gripen Order of pilots who have flown Gripen, by Stig Holmström the legendary Gripen test pilot who flew Gripen on its original maiden flight.
Christer Fuglesang is hoping to have the opportunity to see Earth from space once again, and there is a possibility that this could happen within the next three years. "NASA has an agreement with ESA for another space mission and I'm the first in line to go.�
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