European Astronaut Marcus Wendt of Sweden & Ax-3 Crew | Axiom Space

European Astronaut Marcus Wendt of Sweden & Ax-3 Crew | Axiom Space

European Space Agency project astronaut Marcus Wandt in SpaceX Dragon spacesuit

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew pose together in their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacesuits during training.

From left to right, ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt, Walter Villadei from Italy, Michael López-Alegría, a dual US-Spanish citizen, and Alper Gezeravcı from Türkiye.

From left to right, ESA project astronaut and mission specialist Marcus Wandt, commander Michael López-Alegría, pilot Walter Villadei, and mission specialists Alper Gezeravcı.

Axiom 3 Mission crew next to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. From left to right, ESA project astronaut and mission specialist Marcus Wandt, pilot Walter Villadei, commander Michael López-Alegría and mission specialist Alper Gezeravcı.

ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt's first mission to space, Muninn, takes its name from Norse mythology and the two raven accomplices of the god Odin—Muninn and Huginn. Together, the two symbolize the human mind. Huginn is the name of ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen’s Space Station mission.

According to the myth, the ravens serve as messengers and advisors to their god, sharing all they see and hear. Muninn comes from the Old Norse word munr, that can be translated as passion and emotion, linking to Marcus’s enthusiasm for spaceflight.

The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) patch is shaped as a shield to illustrate strength and courage. The International Space Station (ISS) is centered and angled to be seen as aviator wings, symbolizing four astronauts piloting toward growth in low-Earth orbit (LEO) through the spirit of exploration and collaboration.

The Axiom-3 Mission with European Space Agency (ESA) Project Astronaut Marcus Wendt of Sweden onboard is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 17, 2024, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Marcus will join Andreas Morgensen, ISS commander, marking the first time two Scandinavians are in space together.

Wandt will also become the second ESA astronaut of Swedish nationality to ever go to the International Space Station during the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3). He will serve as a mission specialist during Ax-3. Moreover, Marcus will be the fifth ESA astronaut to fly on a SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft, and the first of a new generation of Europeans to fly on a commercial spaceflight opportunity with Axiom Space.

Born 1980 in Sweden, Marcus Wandt has over 20 years of aviation experience with the Swedish Air Force as a fighter pilot, squadron commander, wing commander, and chief test pilot. Previously a member of the European Space Agency's astronaut reserve, Wandt is now an ESA project astronaut for the duration of his mission duties.

Throughout his academic and professional career, Wandt received honors and awards for his outstanding performance as a student and pilot. He speaks Swedish and English.

Read official biographies of Wendt on the Axiom Space and ESA websites:

https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/marcus-wandt

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Marcus_Wandt

Image Credits: SpaceX, Axiom Space

Image Dates: Aug. 2, 2023 to Jan. 16, 2024

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