NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren Lecture Successfully Held

Update:2026.05.15

On April 28, 2026, Kyushu Institute of Technology hosted the “NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren Lecture” at the Memorial Hall on the Tobata Campus, co-organized with the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka. The event attracted approximately 550 participants, including elementary school pupils, junior and senior high school students, members of the public, as well as Kyutech students, faculty and staff.
Prior to the lecture, Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren paid a courtesy visit to our university and held a meeting with President Yasunaga and other related members.

This lecture was made possible as part of an initiative by the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, inviting Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren, a NASA astronaut and Deputy Director of the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to Japan.
During the lecture, Dr. Lindgren shared his personal experiences, speaking about his journey to becoming an astronaut, daily life in space, the importance of teamwork in astronaut missions, behind-the-scenes stories of space missions, and the latest developments in space exploration. Participants listened attentively to these rare and valuable insights into space, which are seldom heard firsthand.
In the question-and-answer session that followed, many questions were raised, such as about the mindset required for spaceflight, the path to becoming an astronaut, and practical considerations for living in space, reflecting the strong interest in space among the audience.
This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Kyutech faculty members and alumni who have launched startups in the space-related field. Active discussions took place on career development in the space sector and the expanding possibilities of research and innovation. The panelists also shared their individual career paths and experiences that led them to work in space-related professions, providing participants with valuable perspectives for considering their future careers. The event concluded with warm and encouraging messages to students aspiring to pursue careers in the space field.

This lecture provided a rare opportunity to hear directly from an active astronaut, inspiring participants and helping them feel closer to the field of space exploration.
Kyushu Institute of Technology aims to become a university that creates innovations with global impact and will continue to strengthen collaboration with international organizations. Through lectures such as this, Kyutech remains committed to fostering the next generation of talent in cutting-edge fields, including space science and technology, while contributing to the local community.