NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren Sparks Space Fever at NCKU, Highlighting Taiwan’s Cutting-Edge Aerospace Prowess
Written by NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.Image credit to NCKU News Center.
Dr. Lindgren shared his firsthand experiences, taking the audience on a gravity-defying '"antastic journey into outer space".
On Friday, April 24, Dr. Kjell Lindgren, the first Taiwan-born NASA astronaut, visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) to deliver a highly anticipated keynote speech, igniting a wave of celestial excitement across the campus. Organized by the NCKU Office of International Affairs (OIA) as part of the Global Perspective Lecture Series, the event featured Dr. Lindgren leading the audience on a gravity-defying "Fantastic Journey into Outer Space." Through rare and captivating visual footage, he vividly described the profound emotion of witnessing the Earth's curvature from the International Space Station (ISS) and the unique challenges of conducting scientific experiments and living in microgravity. Dr. Lindgren’s inspiring insights successfully lowered the barriers to space technology, igniting a fervent passion for exploration among the students.
The NCKU community held immense expectations for this legendary hero, and the lecture was marked by a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere.
The lecture reached full capacity almost immediately after registration opened, reflecting the immense anticipation from the NCKU community. The atmosphere during the session was vibrant and interactive; students and faculty eagerly posed questions on a wide range of topics—from the applications of space medicine and the future of CubeSats to maintaining psychological resilience in extreme environments. Dr. Lindgren responded to each inquiry with warmth, humor, and professional depth. This close-up dialogue transformed the audience from mere spectators into fellow travelers navigating the vast ocean of interstellar knowledge alongside him.
Dr. Lindgren visited the Ground Control Station at the Hsia Han-Min Space Technology Center.
Dr. Lindgren visited the Ground Control Station at the Hsia Han-Min Space Technology Center.
Beyond sharing his passion for space, Dr. Lindgren arrived in Tainan ahead of schedule to conduct field visits to NCKU’s two primary aerospace research hubs: the Han-Min Hsia Space Science and Technology Center and NCKU SPACE LAB, where NCKU demonstrated its world-class research and development capabilities.
From left to right( Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Researcher, Department of Earth Sciences,Associate Professor Chia-Hung Chen, Department of Earth Sciences,Assistant Professor Chia-Ting Lin, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics,Professor Alfred Bing-Chih Chen, Department of Physics,Dr. Kjell Lindgren, NASA Astronaut,Professor Chia-Hsiang Lin, Department of Electrical Engineering,Dr. Shih-Ping Chen, Researcher, Department of Earth Sciences,Professor Chao-Hung Lin, Department of Geomatics,Professor Tai-Yen Kuo, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics,Professor Chien-Hung Lin, Director of the Han-Min Hsia Space Science and Technology Center)
The Han-Min Hsia Space Science and Technology Center focuses its strategic development on "National Missions, International Collaboration, and CubeSats." The center holds a leading position in practical aerospace experience, having participated in numerous national-level space projects, including sounding rockets, FORMOSAT-2, 7, 8, 9, and the TRITON (Wind-Hunter) satellite. The center actively connects with experts from Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, the USA, Germany, Sweden, and Poland to promote transnational research and expand Taiwan’s influence in the global space sector. Furthermore, it is a vanguard for talent cultivation, integrating departments such as Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, and Earth Sciences. The center’s 30-member student team, dedicated to the self-reliant R&D and launching of CubeSats, fully embodies the innovative vitality and scientific strength of the younger generation.
Dr. and Mrs. Lindgren visited the NCKU SPACE LBA to discuss satellite technologies with Professor Jyh-Ching Juang.
Dr. Lindgren visited the NCKU SPACE LAB and posing for a group photo with Professor Jyh-Ching Juang’s team.
As a recently established university-level center, the NCKU SPACE LAB is dedicated to integrating critical CubeSat systems and technologies. It drives advancements in communication, AI, and propulsion while building application platforms and industrial hubs. The team successfully launched three Taiwanese satellites in 2023 and 2025, which continue to execute their missions in orbit. This achievement underscores NCKU’s high level of maturity in the autonomous development of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren visited NCKU and delivered a keynote speech on Friday, April 24. NCKU Executive Vice President Yung-Chun Lee (right) represented the university in welcoming him.
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) organized a faculty exchange session, inviting experts in space technology and medicine to engage with Dr. Kjell Lindgren.
Dr. Lindgren’s visit is not only a milestone for international exchange but also a significant affirmation of NCKU’s aerospace research teams. Moving forward, NCKU will continue to serve as a pioneer for Taiwan’s "National Team" in space technology. By combining the dynamic energies of the Han-Min Hsia Space Science and Technology Center and NCKU SPACE LAB, NCKU’s academic and scientific prowess in aerospace will continue to shine brightly across the global expanse of the stars.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2026-04-27
Click Num:
Share