Graduated in electrotechnical engineering at State University of Ghent, 1963; doctorate in applied physics from the University of Ghent, 1970; 1965-78 Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy. As Head of Section Instrumentation, performed experiments with stratospheric balloons and sounding rockets; since April 1994 Research Director of D 1/Nieuwe Ontwikkelingen, Belgacom, Brussels; later he joined Flanders Language Valley Foundation, Ieper, Belgium (development of voice computer); his aristocracy rank is Vicomte (Burggraaf); hobbies: running, bicycling, walking, traveling, and chess; from 53 European candidates for the 1977 ESA Spacelab-1 selection one of five candidates from Belgium, semi-finalist (on the shortlist of 12), but not selected then; nominated by the Investigator Working Group (I.W.G.) as backup payload specialist for the STS-61K/ Spacelab EOM 1-2 mission (manifested 03.09.1986, but cancelled after the Challenger accident), 27.12.1985; nominated by the I.W.G. (not by ESA) and selected by NASA as backup payload specialist for the same (but renamed) mission, STS-45/ATLAS-1, October 1989; became a prime crewmember on STS-45 due to medical problems of Michael Lampton, 10-09-1991.