Welcome to UZH Space

UZH psychologist Prof. Dr. Jan B. Schmutz studies the human factors that will shape the future of space exploration. In this interview, he discusses how isolation, confinement, team dynamics, and human–AI collaboration influence astronaut performance and well-being during long-duration missions. Drawing on research conducted in Antarctica and other space analog environments, he highlights what it will take for humans to successfully live and work together on future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

From June 9 to 13, 2026, the Swiss-Korean Innovation Week (SKIW) brought together researchers, innovators, diplomats, and industry representatives in Seoul to explore new opportunities for collaboration between Switzerland and South Korea. The University of Zurich (UZH) was represented by two leading researchers: Laura Baudis, Professor of Physics, and Ravit Helled, Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics and Director of UZH Space, who both contributed to key scientific sessions.

The HiBiDiS mission aims to provide new insights into forest understory biodiversity, answering key questions about its composition, the state of ecosystems, the global carbon cycle and climate change. UZH is participating in the mission as a scientific partner.

UZH Space, in collaboration with Space Exchange Switzerland, recently hosted the event “Launch Your Space Career: Meet ESA & Swiss Space Companies”, bringing together students and early-career professionals with representatives from ESA and Swiss space ecosystem. Participants gained valuable insights into career pathways ranging from ESA programmes to opportunities in industry, complemented by career talks, Q&A sessions, and direct networking opportunities.

Supermassive black holes are among the largest objects in the Universe, yet most of them remain effectively invisible. Now, simulations conducted by Lucio Mayer’s team at the University of Zurich, together with colleagues in Italy, the UK, and the US, on CSCS’s Alps supercomputer using the new GPU-based code SPH-EXA, show in unprecedented detail how a star is torn apart by a black hole, producing a signal that can reveal its presence. The results also identified a previously unseen pattern that may help detect these hidden giants in the future.