Space research

DTU neighbours attend lecture on space

Around 100 residents from Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality visited DTU Space for an event to gain insight into the fascinating space research conducted right in the heart of the city.

Monday 18 December 2023

Christina Tækker

Darkness had fallen over the city when DTU Space opened its doors to an event organized by Science City Lyngby—a partnership between Lyngby-Taarbæk’s business sector, knowledge institutions, and the municipality. Around 100 residents had found their way to the auditorium, where a panel of researchers talked about topics such as the melting ice of the Arctic, DTU’s equipment that looks for life on Mars, and astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who, on board the International Space Station, is testing virtual reality (VR) as a tool to stimulate mental well-being during a space mission.

The event is one of several where Science City invites citizens inside the municipality’s businesses and organizations to learn more about what goes on behind the walls and to hear about current projects, new research, local business development, exciting discoveries, or major events, while enjoying a glass of wine. The programme was headed by Niels Andersen, Senior Chief Consultant at DTU Space:

“The most important thing for us on a day like this is to make our space research tangible and bring it down to earth. Although our work is fascinating and wild, it’s part of everyday life for all of us. We research and develop instruments that are brought on missions to Mars and the space station—and we collaborate with businesses right in the centre of Lyngby. It helps put the city on the world map—and can hopefully inspire both young and old.”

45 girls from Science Girls visited DTU Space. Before the evening’s event they had lunch and built their own balloon rockets to understand the basics of space technology. Photo: Private.

Science Girls

Among the participants were 45 girls who are part of a club called ‘Science Girls’. The club is an initiative under Science City and consists of girls aged 13-19. The purpose is for them to meet young female role models in businesses and knowledge environments to see what you can become if you enroll in a science study programme.

One of the girls who participated at DTU Space was 14-year-old Emilie Troels Melgaard, who is a 7th grader at Virum Skole:

“I thought it was really exciting. We heard about many different topics, including that the sea ice is melting. At school, it’s difficult to get an insight into where the ice is melting and by how much. But here models and satellite images showed you the development over five years. It was also exciting to hear about SpaceX with Elon Musk—mostly because I could recognize some of the images.”

Knowledge and university city

The so-called ‘Knowledge & Wine events’ are an important part of the work of the City of Knowledge & Urban Creativity, where they are working to develop Lyngby-Taarbæk into one of Europe’s leading knowledge and university cities with a dynamic business and start-up environment with close university links. Says Marianna Lubanski, CEO of Science City Lyngby:

“We organize these knowledge events because it’s important to show the residents of the municipality what is going on and how much knowledge is being produced in Lyngby. This applies to university, educational institutions, entrepreneurial environments, and businesses. In this way, we hope to build bridges between the business sector and educational institutions.”

Contact

Niels Andersen

Niels Andersen Senior Chief Consultant National Space Institute Phone: +45 45259783 Mobile: +45 21274365

Space research