A small delegation of experts from DTU Space has had a busy week at ESA's Astronaut Center in Cologne.
Here, together with ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen and other colleagues, they have reported on the results of the ten Danish experiments conducted during Mogensen's approximately six-month Huginn mission to the International Space Station, ISS, in 2023-24.
DTU Space was involved in four of the ten experiments: 3D printing in space, lightning observed from the space station, VR Mental Care for astronauts, and the Earthshine experiment.
The collaboration has already contributed to new knowledge that could help shape the future of space research. Several of the projects will now continue on Earth.
”We were early with exciting proposals for experiments and research projects for Andreas' latest mission. This has resulted in new knowledge about space technology and exploration,” says Director of DTU Space, Henning Skriver.
”In addition to our contributions to four projects during this mission, we also had experiments when Andreas was on the space station for the first time in 2015. Furthermore, we have conducted a number of experiments on the space station both before and after Andreas' missions. We have thus built a strong track record on the space station, of which Andreas and the latest experiments are an important part”.
A new Mogensen mission could make the projects highly relevant
Recently, the Danish astronaut was selected as one of seven European astronauts to undergo training for a potential future lunar mission. This places him high on the list for another trip to space. Several of the projects could become highly relevant if Andreas Mogensen is sent on another space mission for ESA.
With his title as Adjunct Professor at DTU, it is natural for DTU Space to explore opportunities for future collaborations on space projects.
For example, the possibility of printing spare parts during space missions or relaxing in a pleasant virtual landscape using a pair of VR glasses, which are among the projects reviewed in Cologne.
Successful metal printing in space became a world first
The 3D metal printing project is an innovative attempt to produce metal components directly in space using a 3D printer brought to the space station. It succeeded.
Andreas Mogensen installed a 3D metal printer on the space station, which his colleagues subsequently used to produce a small handful of metal components. These are the first to be manufactured in space using 3D printing.
One of them is designed and owned by DTU Space, which received it back on Earth from the space station. Researchers are now analyzing the component and comparing it with an identical copy produced on Earth.
”The initial results indicate that there are indeed differences between production in space and on Earth, which opens up new possibilities in manufacturing technology and methods,” says Professor John Leif Jørgensen from DTU Space, who led the 3D printing project.
”One could imagine this technology being used to produce spare parts or very large structures during space missions. For example, during a lunar mission, where it would be difficult to have parts sent from home”.
Spectacular giant lightning photographed from the space station
Another project involved the study of lightning phenomena in space.
Using a specially modified camera system included in the mission, Andreas Mogensen succeeded in capturing unique images of lightning phenomena. Among them are phenomena known as 'red sprites' and 'blue jets,' which are very difficult to document.
A particularly large 'red sprite,' which was captured, spanned an area of approximately 20 by 40 km. The images have allowed researchers to closely study the phenomenon.
”These lightning phenomena release enormous amounts of energy, and we are working to understand their potential impact on the chemistry of the atmosphere and, consequently, the climate on Earth,” explains DTU Space researcher Olivier Chanrion.
Virtual reality provided a mental break in space
For astronauts, long missions can be challenging both physically and mentally.
In connection with Mogensen's mission, DTU Space tested a virtual reality system called VR Mental Care, which offers astronauts a much-needed escape from daily life on the space station.
This system was well-received aboard the space station. It allowed Andreas Mogensen and his colleagues to go on small virtual trips to relaxing environments such as a forest or a shoreline, contributing to their mental well-being during the mission.
”This technology could become an essential part of the equipment for astronauts on longer missions, for example to the Moon or Mars,” says DTU Space engineer Per Lundahl Thomsen, who led the VR project.
The Sun's energy on Earth was measured via the Moon
When sunlight reaches Earth, some of it is reflected back into space and hits the Moon. Through the Earthshine project, lead by DMI with DTU contribution, researchers aimed to measure the light that reaches the Moon from Earth, creating an image of how much of the Sun's incoming energy is reflected back to the universe from Earth.
”This project has the potential to provide important data about Earth's climate,” explains DTU Space engineer René Fléron.
The goal is to achieve a better understanding of the balance between the energy entering Earth from the Sun, and the energy leaving Earth, which then does not contribute to global warming.
If the method proves effective, it could form the basis for a future satellite mission that utilises this measurement technique.
As part of the Earthshine experiment, Andreas Mogensen took over 4,500 images of the Moon. In her bachelor's project, DTU student Mathilde Saltoft Schou analyzed the Moon images, contributing significantly to the project and providing valuable insights for researchers working for example towards a potential satellite mission.
Broad collaboration yielded fascinating and useful results
Apart from ESA and Andreas Mogensen the four DTU projects were carried out in collaboration with partners such as the Danish Technological Institute, DMI, Aarhus University Hospital, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and private companies.
”The collaboration with ESA and Andreas Mogensen and the other partners has produced fascinating and useful results,” says DTU Space director Henning Skriver.
”We are proud of the results and look forward to new collaborations on future missions”.
