TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan-born American astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren, who is a member of the Artemis Team, will visit Taiwan from April 21 to 25 for meetings with senior officials and visits to key space and research institutions.
The American Institute in Taiwan on Wednesday said Lindgren will visit Taiwan as part of the Department of State Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau’s US Speaker Program, per CNA. His trip will be tied to “Freedom 250 Initiative” activities marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
AIT said the visit follows the recently completed Artemis II mission and highlights US leadership in space exploration. Born in Taipei, Lindgren will engage with stakeholders across Taiwan to promote cutting-edge technology cooperation and “inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
Lindgren has completed two long-duration missions on the International Space Station, spending a total of 311 days in space. During his missions, he has photographed Taiwan from orbit.
AIT said that in Taipei, Lindgren will meet senior leaders and engage with Taiwan’s dynamic startup community. He will also travel to Hsinchu and Taoyuan to visit the Taiwan Space Agency and National Central University, where he will interact with researchers and students working in space science and technology.
In Taichung, he will visit the National Library of Public Information. In Tainan, he will tour National Cheng Kung University’s Han-Min Hsia Center for Space Science and Technology and the NCKU Space Lab, before delivering a lecture at the Taipei Astronomical Museum.
AIT added that Lindgren was born in Taipei and grew up in a US Air Force family. He holds a medical degree from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree from the US Air Force Academy.
He began his NASA career in 2007 as a flight surgeon and currently serves as deputy director of the Flight Operations Directorate at Johnson Space Center, helping lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions.
Lindgren’s photo of Taiwan, taken from the International Space Station in 2015.
Lindgren introduces himself and his plans for his trip to Taiwan.