Photo of Minneapolis from space, from astronaut with HCMC roots

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - NASA astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren took to Twitter and Instagram to say a special hello to the city of Minneapolis. Lindgren was born in Taipei, Taiwan and raised in England, but completed a 3-year residency in emergency medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center.

“Looking great Minneapolis!” Lindgren posted. “And a warm hello to my friends and colleagues @HennepinMedical!”

Lindgren was selected in June 2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He’s currently assigned to Expedition 44/45 as a flight engineer.

Expedition 45 began September 11, 2015 and ends December 22, 2015. This
expedition includes human research, biology and biotechnology, astrophysics
research, physical science investigations and education activities. Two spacewalks are tentatively planned during Expedition 45.

Expedition 45 crew members are installing equipment and conducting experiments to help researchers study dark matter and cosmic rays, investigate the interactions of flames on the motion and ignition of droplets, and assess the effects of spaceflight on chromosomal telomeres. NASA said investigations like these help advance the journey to Mars, while simultaneously making discoveries that can benefit all of humanity.

Follow Dr. Lindgren on Twitter @astro_kjell