Space exploration is a human necessity, says astrophysicist

Humanity cannot turn away from space exploration, according to Danish astrophysicist Anja C. Andersen, who described her lifelong connection to the stars in an interview with Danish broadcaster DR’s Ugens Gæst on P1 radio.

Andersen explained that her fascination with the cosmos began in the Saudi Arabian desert, where she first found herself drawn to the night sky. Standing in darkness, she often wonders whether someone on another planet, in another galaxy, might be doing the same—gazing back and pondering the same questions.

Her reflections underscore a deeper conviction: space exploration is not optional but an intrinsic part of human curiosity and survival. “We cannot help it,” she said.