Stockholm university

Astronaut Jessica Meir took Stockholm University flag into space

NASA astronaut, marine biologist, and former Stockholm University student Jessica Meir visited Sweden in June for a five-day tour, during which she gave talks and met the general public, researchers, and students. During a seminar, she took the opportunity to return a mini version of the Stockholm University flag, which she had taken with her on the International Space Station ISS.

Jessica Meir. Image: Andreas Lundberg
Jessica Meir. Image: Andreas Lundberg

The seminar was arranged by the Swedish Space Agency and took place at the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm on 20 June 2022. Jessica Meir lectured on daily life and research on board the International Space Station ISS – and spoke of the dream of becoming the first woman on the moon.

Jessica Meir has both American and Swedish citizenship, and historically, she became the first Swedish woman in space in September 2019. She spent a little over six months in space where she carried out research, including on how heart tissue behaves in microgravity, compared to on the earth.

 

Jessica chose to take along the Stockholm University flag

Clas Hättestrand and Jessica Meir. Image: Andreas Lundberg
Clas Hättestrand and Jessica Meir. Image: Andreas Lundberg

The seminar on 20 June ended with Jessica Meir returning a symbol for Stockholm University, in the form of a small flag, which she had taken along on the ISS. Jessica Meir has previously studied at Stockholm University, and during the seminar the flag was presented to Clas Hättestrand, Vice President of Stockholm University.

“When astronauts travel in space, they usually get to bring a few things that represent something they have a connection to. Jessica chose to bring a flag from Stockholm University, because she studied there – it was her own choice. There is a tradition that these things are then returned after the spaceflight,” said Johan Marcopoulos, Communications Manager at the Swedish Space Agency.

The seminar was attended by astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Minister of Education Anna Ekström – who is also responsible for space issues – and Anna Rathsman, Director General of the Swedish Space Agency.

The Swedish-American astronaut Jessica Meir became, historically, the first Swedish woman to be sent on a mission into space in September 2019. Photo: James Blair/NASA.
The Swedish-American astronaut Jessica Meir became, historically, the first Swedish woman to be sent on a mission into space in September 2019. Photo: James Blair/NASA.

Read more about Jessica Meyer's visit to Sweden on the website of the Swedish Space Agency.