Tech News in Brief: Second Dane in space as well?

In other news, potato chip sales are booming, and so is the drone industry

Johann-Dietrich Woerner, the secretary-general of the European Space Agency, has indicated that Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen will probably get the chance to return to space. Speaking after meeting the education and research minister, Søren Pind, in Copenhagen yesterday, Woerner told media that “all astronauts should have at least two flights, and Andreas did the perfect job the first time”. Mogensen, 40, became the first Dane in space when he spent eight days at the International Space Station in September 2015.

In love with Danish potato chips
The Brits call them crisps, the Americans chips, and now the Danes are embracing them as their new cash cow. Companies like KMC are reporting a surge in sales thanks to an increasing demand from the Asian middle-classes in countries like China and India. Additionally, more health-conscious Americans are opting for the Danish chips because they are plant-based and free of gluten and GMO.

Danish drone industry prospects soar
Plans have been announced for an 867 sq km airspace over Beldringe in Funen, the location of the HC Andersen Airport, which has been earmarked for flying and testing drones. The University of Southern Denmark believes the governmental approval will accelerate the growth of the sector, which could soon emerge as Denmark’s fastest growing industry and create between 15 and 20,000 jobs. According to Odense mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel, there has already been a great deal of interest from foreign companies interested in using the airspace.

Unis rank highly for innovation
Two Danish universities – University of Copenhagen (KU) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) – are the highest ranked Nordic establishments on the Reuters Top 100: Europe’s Most Innovative Universities. The pair finished 13th and 14th respectively in Europe. Topping the list for the second year running was Belgium’s KU Leuven, followed by British pair Imperial College London and Cambridge University.




  • Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    After more than a decade living in Denmark, Russell shares why she made the move, how she’s coping, what she already misses, and the exciting new projects she’s working on. “It’s been a very tough decision. I love Denmark, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says.

  • Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    The new Gefion AI supercomputer is one of the world’s fastest and will accelerate research and provide new opportunities in Danish academia and industry.

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.


  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.