Astronaut touches down in Leeds to inspire engineers of tomorrow

Leeds Materials Science alum Matthias Maurer spent 175 days on the International Space Station in 2022. This month, he returned to Leeds to meet and inspire Faculty staff, students and alumni.

On his return to Leeds, Matthias Maurer (Erasmus Materials Science 1993) shared his journey to become an astronaut, the influence Leeds had on his career, and his experience on board the International Space Station (ISS).  

While orbiting Earth, Matthias helped support roughly 150 experiments in areas from health to materials science. Matthias holds several national awards for outstanding research in the field of materials sciences, and during the visit to campus he explored the new facilities in the Bragg Centre for Materials Research. 

He gave a lecture to staff and students about his time in space and met with members of the Leeds University Rocketry Association (LURA) – a student-led, multi-discipline engineering team who design, build and fly sub-orbital rockets. 

At the evening Leeds Alumni Voices event, Matthias described being one of only 10 successful applicants out of 8,500 candidates who applied to become a European Space Agency astronaut.

Matthias Maurer speaking with Mark Dorey at the Leeds Alumni Voices event, sitting next to one of LURA's rockets.

“It was 13 years between my original application and my first space flight,” Matthias told guests. “But if you have a dream and want to achieve something, don't let the first obstacle stop you.”

Matthias described taking a spacewalk when he left the ISS to conduct checks: “It was a dream to open the door and step out into space. Your body tells you to stay inside because between you and Brazil, there is nothing.”

Watch the full Leeds Alumni Voices event with Matthias Maurer.

From Leeds to outer space 

Matthias credited Leeds as the beginning of his journey to space.  

“Leeds was an incredibly enriching experience,” he said. “I was able to immerse myself in the English language and student life, while being exposed to other cultures and languages. It really equipped me to be part of an international team. 

“But it was also where I realised my dream of flying. I joined the gliding society and started gliding lessons. It's where it all started.” 

Students from LURA had the opportunity to showcase their work to Matthias and ask questions about his journey to become an astronaut. “I was impressed by what LURA presented to me,” Matthias said. “They have a much more advanced understanding of rocket technology than I had when I was at Leeds.”

Members of LURA were able to share their impressive work with Matthias Maurer.

Matthias made 2,832 orbits of the earth aboard the ISS. The laboratory allows astronauts to conduct experiments that can't be done anywhere else, helping to make advances in areas such as medicine and materials science.  

Leeds Professor of Earth Observation Anna Hogg introduced Matthias at the evening event. Anna is the founder of Space Hub Yorkshire, a coordinator of space activity across the region: “The University of Leeds is a hub of excellence for space research,” Anna said. “Whether it’s using satellite data to measure the speed of glaciers in Antarctica, developing new instruments for future missions, or designing experiments that have flown on the ISS.  

“It was inspiring to hear Matthias’s own journey from studying materials science here at Leeds, to becoming the 600th astronaut in space. Matthias has shown great skill through his science, determination to overcome any obstacles, and belief in his big dream to fly in space.” 

Phil Steel, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement at the University of Leeds, said: “We’re incredibly proud to count Matthias amongst our global alumni community and to welcome him back to talk to students, staff and alumni. It’s inspiring to know that his time at Leeds played a part in his journey to space and we are so pleased about his continuing relationship with the University and the city.”

As part of his campus tour, Maurer explored the cutting-edge Sir William Henry Bragg Building, including the telescopes found on its roof.

Matthias ended the evening by fielding questions from the global Leeds community who watched in person and online. Topics included the smell of space, the procedure for carrying out CPR in microgravity, and the future of space travel. He closed by telling five-year-old Tobias who watched online about how to become an astronaut: “There’s no guarantee. But I believe you need to keep dreaming.

“If you don’t have a dream you can’t fulfil your dream. Do what you like to do, do what you’re best at, and do it with all your heart. Then maybe it’ll come true.”

Further information

• Read more about Space Hub Yorkshire. Created and hosted at the University, Space Hub Yorkshire aims to unlock space for the people and businesses of Yorkshire.
• Watch the full Leeds Alumni voices event with Matthias Maurer.
• If you’re a member of the global alumni community, sign up to receive invitations to exclusive alumni events at Leeds by updating your details.
• For more information, email Ed Newbould, Digital Communications Officer at the University of Leeds, at e.w.newbould@leeds.ac.uk.