The long period began when Andreas Mogensen was selected for the European Space Agency's ESA astronaut program sixteen years ago in 2009 as the first Dane. The expectations for the outreach efforts were very clear from the beginning. Minister of Science Helge Sander stated:
"The first Danish astronaut will be a good role model for the young people here at home and will certainly strengthen, not least, the young people's interest in space travel and natural sciences."
Andreas Mogensen's excellent communication of natural sciences has particularly occurred in connection with his two space trips – before, during, and after. Both times, national Danish communication programs have been initiated. Educational material about aerospace, space technology, and natural sciences has been produced for primary schools, high schools, and vocational schools. Andreas has participated in all of it. Of course, he sprinkled a little stardust over the communication. Still, above all, he has passionately and relevantly talked about, asked, challenged, and explained natural sciences and technology to school students and apprentices during visits to schools, at large and small events, and in broadcasts from space. Among other things, to 1200 school students in Viborg at the National Championship in Electronic Engineering, to a group of vocational interns at DTU Space, and in a lecture from space to more than 1000 listeners at DTU.
The fascination with space is shared between the study of the unknown universe, the fantastic technology, and viewing our blue planet from the outside.
Andreas has continuously sent beautiful pictures of Earth during the recent space journey, showcasing human-made and natural phenomena he photographed while the ISS orbited about 16 times a day. It is always accompanied by a brief explanation of what we are seeing, maybe with a wonder about how this phenomenon or pattern arose. Perhaps this is the finest scientific communication, which prompts us to wonder.
The medal was awarded at a ceremony at the University of Copenhagen. The vice president of the Society for the Spread of Nature, Professor Rasmus Larsen from DTU Compute, motivated the award, and the society's president, Professor Anja C. Andersen from the Niels Bohr Institute, presented the medal.
