e-newsletter - 4th edition - June 2006

Swiss Astronaut Claude Nicollier in Singapore


On 23-27 May 2006, the Swiss House Singapore presented a series of exceptional talks by Swiss astronaut Prof. Claude Nicollier, a veteran of four NASA space flights. The lectures took place in the frame of "Icons in Red and White", a Swiss-Singaporean celebration organized by the Swiss Embassy.

Prof. Nicollier could reach a wide range of publics ranging from academics to businessmen and pupils, and captured his audiences with fascinating facts about spaceflight, as well as some astonishing pictures. The talks where attended by a total of over 1’200 people.

The highlight of the week was the talk on “Exploration of Space” held at the Pod, the iconic top floor of the Singapore National Library, where invited guests had the rare opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking view of downtown Singapore while listening to the remarkable talk by Prof. Nicollier.

Prof. Nicollier also addressed students and academics at the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Polytechnic, an event coorganised with the National Youth Achievement Award Council, where Prof. Nicollier gave a lecture on space adventure and travel.

His personal experiences working on the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint NASA/ESA effort, were shared with the general public at the Singapore Science Centre and also with international students from the Swiss School, German European School and the United World College. A short visit to the Swiss School allowed then the popular astronaut to meet with curious children, privileged to interact with one of the 450 personalities who had been exploring space.

The topic of “Risk Management in Human Spaceflight” was covered when Prof. Nicollier met the Swiss business community at the Swiss Business Association lunch. Finally, the Swiss community had the opportunity to meet Claude Nicollier at the Swiss Club for another deeply inspiring talk and interactive event.

Please click here for the photo gallery.