16.07.2023

When Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA) is going on his second mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in August, he will do so with the new title of honorary professor at DTU.“I look forward to supporting the excellent work DTU does in terms of both teaching and research, during as well as after my mission,” he says

The Danish ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen has been appointed honorary professor at DTU Space: *I look forward to supporting the excellent work DTU does in terms of both teaching and research, during as well as after my mission,” says Andreas Mogensen.

DTU appoints Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency as honorary professor.

“It’s an honor to be appointed honorary professor at DTU. I look forward to continuing our collaboration on my mission, where I’ll perform three different experiments on board the space station on behalf of DTU, as well as when I’m back on Earth,” says Andreas Mogensen, who has been working with DTU to attract more interest in advanced technology and space travel since he was appointed honorary associate professor in 2009.

“Space travel is an incredibly exciting field in rapid development, and I look forward to supporting the excellent work DTU is doing in terms of both teaching and research,” he says.  

A shared love of space travel

DTU already has a significant collaboration with the European Space Agency and with Andreas Mogensen on the development and use of space technology. 

“We share a love of space science with Andreas Mogensen and what it can teach us about the universe, the atmosphere, and the conditions of life on Earth, in the past and in the future. We share an enthusiasm for what technology can accomplish and for international research collaboration, says Rasmus Larsen, Provost at DTU, who is pleased that the new appointment will further strengthen the collaboration:

“DTU Space has already supplied instruments for more than 100 space missions. With Andreas Mogensen as honorary professor, DTU and its researchers are now in an even better position to continue to be a preferred university partner for international space missions. I also expect that with Andreas’ winning personality and great influence, we can inspire even more people to make a career as a craftsman, engineer, inventor, or researcher,” says Rasmus Larsen.

An engineer with a gift for words

Andreas Mogensen will be affiliated with DTU Space, Denmark’s largest space research institute. Here, he will participate in research projects, including some that are working on Mars missions. He will also be contributing his great knowledge and experience to the teaching at selected courses and in connection with projects.

“Andreas Mogensen has a unique combination of top-tier international achievements within engineering and space science, vast experience in developing astronautics, and excellent collaboration and communication skills, which we’ve already benefited from in our collaboration with him. We look forward to continuing this collaboration,” says Henning Skriver, Director of DTU Space.   

On 15 August, Andreas Mogensen will blast off towards the ISS for the second time. As part of his six-month mission, he will collect data for three DTU research projects. In addition, he will contribute to a large communication project, Rumrejsen2023.dk, which aims to boost children and young people’s interest in science and technology. 

The time and place of his inaugural lecture will be determined after the mission when he is back on solid ground.

On his first mission to the ISS in 2015, Andreas Mogensen took photos of lightning as part of the DTU Space research project THOR. He will be doing this once again when he goes on the new mission in August, but this time with a better camera. Furthermore, he will perform virtual reality testing, contributing to increased mental well-being for astronauts on long missions in space, and he will also be bringing a 3D printer to be tested for printing spare parts in zero gravity.

In addition, he will contribute to a large communication project aiming to boost children and young people’s interest in science and technology. Read more about the communication project on rumrejsen2023.dk (in Danish) and the DTU-research projects in a news item on DTU's website.

Quelle: Technical University of Denmark