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 (ESA) astronaut reserve, Wandt is now an ESA project astronaut for the duration of his mission duties.
Between 2003 and 2014, Wandt was active as a fighter pilot with the Swedish Air Force, including international exercises, operational testing, and operational deployment. In 2006, Wandt founded and became the CEO of Intuitech AB focusing on tactical training of fighter pilots. He later became an experimental test pilot at SAAB Aeronautics in Linköping, Sweden, and worked his way up to chief test pilot and head of flight operations. In November 2022, Wandtwas selected as a member of the ESA astronaut reserve.
Wandt graduated from the Sundsta-Älvkullen High School in 1999. The same year, he became a patrol leader and airborne ranger with the Swedish Army Airborne Ranger School. In 2000, he began his studies at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, focusing on electronics and artificial intelligence, communication technology, and basic space engineering. He received his master's degree in electrical engineering in 2007.
Wandt joined the Karlberg Military Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2003, where he received leadership training and graduated as an officer from the military officer program in 2005.
In 2004, Wandt joined the Swedish Air Force Flying Training School to attend basic flying training, which he completed in 2005, followed by basic fighter training in 2006. Wandt was trained to 4-ship lead with the Swedish Air Force Air Operations Commander School and became captain at the Halmstad Military Academy. Wandt is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Swedish Air Force.
From 2013 to 2014, Wandt attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, USA, graduating as number one of his class as an experimental test pilot. Wandt also became a squadron commander and wing commander flying with the Swedish Air Force Operations Commander School.
Throughout his academic and professional career, Wandt received various honors and awards for his outstanding performance as a student and pilot. He speaks Swedish and English.
Wandt was the mission specialist and second ESA astronaut of Swedish nationality to ever go to the International Space Station during Axiom Mission 3.