WINNER of the André Kuipers Ruimtevaartprijs 2025

9 questions for Margot Winters (25)

What is your background?

Margot: “I’m Belgian and studied at TU Delft in the Netherlands to become an aerospace engineer.”

How did your interest in this field come about?

“The fascination with what lies beyond our planet appeals to many people. In aerospace, imagination and precision go hand in hand: we want to discover new worlds, but everything has to be spot on. In space missions, every bolt and every calculation counts. It’s that combination that attracts me most.”

What was your final-year project about?

“My thesis explored the safety of astronauts during long-duration space missions. One of the biggest challenges in this regard is radiation. On earth and in the ISS space station, people are protected by the magnetosphere, but that protection disappears as soon as we venture further into space. Astronauts are then exposed to strong ionising radiation, both from cosmic sources and from the sun.

Solar particle events pose a significant risk. These are events in which large quantities of charged particles are released from the sun. Such an event can result in a dangerous dose of radiation within a matter of hours. Without additional protection, this represents one of the main obstacles on long-duration crewed missions.”

What solution have you developed?

“I’ve been working on the FLARE, a wearable vest that uses water as a protective material. Water works very well against solar radiation, and the benefit is that it’s already on board. So, you don’t need to carry any extra weight, which is always a critical consideration in space missions.

The design focused on wearability. The vest had to remain as light and flexible as possible, so that astronauts can move freely. At the same time, the vest is not equally thick throughout: the thickness is tailored to the radiation sensitivity of organs and to other factors identified through discussions with European astronauts. Compared to existing models, the FLARE offers better thermal comfort and is easier to adapt to different radiation conditions and body types.”

 Figuur: FLARE vest (blue) in cross-section: water acts as a shield against radiation.

You designed the vest to fit the female body – why?

“Systems in manned space missions have traditionally been designed based on the male body. That made sense in the days of the Apollo missions, because only men went into space. Things are very different nowadays.

I made a conscious decision to tailor the vest to the female body. Women are generally more susceptible to radiation-related cancers, such as breast, thyroid and ovarian cancer. By designing for the most vulnerable group, you increase safety for all astronauts.”

How did you first come to know about the NLF?

“In the first few weeks of my studies at TU Delft, I met André Kuipers at an information day. It was through him that I discovered the NLF. That made it even more special to receive an award from him.”

Your project won you the André Kuipers Space Award. Suddenly, there you were on stage during the gala evening. What was that like?

“It was very special. During my final-year project, I spent months working on technical details and simulations. Most of that work was done in silence, behind a desk. To then stand on a stage in front of the Dutch aerospace sector and receive recognition for everything I’ve worked on is something I won’t forget in a long time.”

What makes this award meaningful for students studying aerospace engineering?

“It can help you land the internship or job of your dreams. One of my fellow nominees was in the final selection for a commercial pilot training programme. For her, it was great to chat with KLM’s management during the gala evening.”

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years’ time?

“I’m currently working as an engineer at Space Applications Services in Belgium. There, I’m involved in the development of a mobile lunar rover and in the operation of the LAPLACE experiment on the ISS space station. In everything I do, I want to keep learning. And ideally, I’d like to stay inspired: if I can combine Katherine Johnson’s precision with Neil deGrasse Tyson’s curiosity and Sophie Adenot’s adventurous mindset, that will surely lead me to a career in which I can continue to challenge myself.”

Photo: Astronaut Matthias Maurer shows two miniature prototypes of the FLARE vest. The human factors were discussed in detail with four European astronauts during the thesis.