Luxembourg Space Agency Publishes 1st Educational Comic Book

On Wednesday 16 July 2025, the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) presented its first educational comic book, Looking for a Luxonaut, during the Space Afternoon event at the Luxembourg Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan.

The presentation took place in the presence of Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Stéphanie Obertin, Luxembourg's Minister for Digitalisation and Minister for Research and Higher Education. The comic book is available in various languages (including English) and was specially translated into Japanese to celebrate the "exemplary" collaboration between the two countries in the space sector.

The LSA, operating under the supervision of Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy, is tasked with supporting and strengthening the country's space ecosystem. Recognising that "talent is a strategic lever for the future of the sector", the LSA places particular emphasis on education and awareness-raising among young people. In the context of "fierce international competition for a limited talent pool", the ministry and the LSA stressed the importance of inspiring future careers from an early age.

In this context, the LSA has launched several awareness-raising initiatives, such as the national "Astronaut for a Day" competition. It uses the fascination with space to raise awareness among children and students about the sector and space-related careers.

In line with this educational mission, the LSA has now published its first educational comic book, allowing readers to explore the challenges and possibilities of space exploration.

The comic book is the result of a collaboration with writer Lucien Czuga, best known for Superjhemp, and illustrator and artist Dan Altmann. Rich in humour and Luxembourgish cultural references, the story follows Renya, a young fox and the great-great-great-granddaughter of Renert, a beloved figure in Luxembourgish literature. In 2048, Renya enters a competition organised by a Luxembourg space company to select the country's first astronaut to travel to Mars. Alongside her friend Dixx, she undergoes a series of tests and trials - inspired by real-life astronaut training - leading the duo on a thrilling and adventurous journey. By the end of the story, readers will discover who will be the first "Luxonaut" to set foot on Mars.

Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, commented: "Space is much more than a cutting-edge technological field: it's a tremendous source of inspiration for younger generations. With this first comic book, the Luxembourg Space Agency has succeeded in making a strategic sector for our future accessible and captivating. By arousing curiosity, we are already preparing the talents who will shape the Luxembourg space industry of tomorrow."

Minister Delles will officially present the comic book in Luxembourg at the International Comics Festival in Contern on Saturday 19 July 2025 at 15:00. Lucien Czuga and Dan Altmann will also be present to sign copies at the festival on both Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July 2025.

The comic book will be available for €19 in bookstores and newsstands across the country from Monday 21 July 2025.