By Kim Rathcke Jensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Aalborg University is opening a new center that will bring together space-technology research across the university.

The Space Tech Center will develop tomorrow’s solutions in satellites, robotics, and space communications.

“Space is critical infrastructure. And satellites are becoming an increasingly important part of Europe’s and Denmark’s technological sovereignty. With the Space Tech Center, we are bringing together and strengthening AAU’s contribution to this development. We are creating the framework for more project activity, stronger test facilities, and closer partnerships with industry and public authorities,” says Per Michael Johansen, Rector of Aalborg University.

“Aalborg is on its way to becoming Denmark’s space capital. As a university, our research is among the European elite. We are surrounded by a growing hub of talented companies and start-ups that turn knowledge into solutions and commercialize Danish space technology. With the opening of the Space Tech Center, we are moving further than ever before—but on a course that has been set for many years,” says Per Michael Johansen.

Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Systems, Israel Leyva Mayorga, has been appointed head of the Space Tech Center.

“The Space Tech Center is the first coordinated initiative that combines strengths from all faculties and departments at AAU with the strong space industry in the region. The goal is to make Aalborg the focal point for space-technology development in Denmark. With the Space Tech Center, we will support our current research areas and student organizations, while also fostering new collaborations to accelerate research, education, industrial collaboration, and innovation,” says Israel Leyva Mayorga.

Building Denmark’s largest ground station

Space-technology research at Aalborg University has roots going back to the 1990s. The university and North Jutland became a global center for antenna research, attracting tech giants and mobile-phone manufacturers.

As early as 2003, AAU students were the first in Denmark to send a student-built nanosatellite into orbit.

Toward 2029, AAU is also investing DKK 530 million in building some of Europe’s most modern facilities for research and education in technology and space technology —including DKK 80 million for a new Tech Lab, which is planned to be completed in 2029.

At the same time, AAU is investing in a ground station that will become Denmark’s largest facility for communication with satellites and spacecraft.

With its antennas and data and control center, the facility will be large enough to be connected to the European Space Agency (ESA)’s global network of ground stations, which is operated from the agency’s control center in Germany.

Construction of the ground station in Aalborg will begin in the summer of 2026, and the first phase will be commissioned in May 2027. The final phase will be completed in 2029.

Around AAU, a hub of approximately 40 companies and start-ups has emerged, employing more than 1,100 people. Read more in this report from IRIS Group.

Contact

Rector Per Michael Johansen via Strategic Advisor Bo Jeppesen
Phone:  +45 6140 4061
Mail: boje@adm.aau.dk 
 
Israel Leyva Mayorga, Head of Space Tech Center, Aalborg Universitet
Phone: +45 9940 7754
Mail: ilm@es.aau.dk 
 
AAU Press Contact (Office days from 9.00 - 15.00)
Phone: +45 22150192 
Mail: presse@adm.aau.dk  
Web: https://www.aau.dk/nyheder/pressen   

Kim Rathcke Jensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Phone: (+45) 6196 7166 
Mail: kiraje@adm.aau.dk