Jannike Mikkelsen, a Norwegian cinematographer and commercial astronaut, was awarded the Årets Peer Gynt (Peer Gynt of the Year) Prize for 2026. The award is presented annually to an individual or institution that has made a positive contribution to Norwegian society and raised Norway’s profile abroad. It has been awarded since 1971, and the representatives of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) have chosen the Årets Peer Gynt since 1973. The winners include athletes, authors, scientists, musicians, journalists and more. Candidates are nominated by former winners, contenders and members of parliament. Among the previous winners are scientists May-Britt and Edvard Moser, ethnographer and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, the musical group A-Ha, actress Liv Ullmann and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, to name only a few. Jannicke Mikkelsen is Norway's first astronaut holding only Norwegian citizenship. She served as mission commander on the historic Fram 2 space mission in April 2025, the first mission to fly a polar orbit, i.e., to fly over Earth's North and South Poles. Jannike has since spoken to inspire young people to pursue science and technology, and to express her belief that space exploration could become an important future industry in Norway.
Jannike Mikkelsen, a Norwegian cinematographer and commercial astronaut, was awarded the Årets Peer Gynt (Peer Gynt of the Year) Prize for 2026. The award is presented annually to an individual or institution that has made a positive contribution to Norwegian society and raised Norway’s profile abroad. It has been awarded since 1971, and the representatives of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) have chosen the Årets Peer Gynt since 1973. The winners include athletes, authors, scientists, musicians, journalists and more. Candidates are nominated by former winners, contenders and members of parliament. Among the previous winners are scientists May-Britt and Edvard Moser, ethnographer and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, the musical group A-Ha, actress Liv Ullmann and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, to name only a few. Jannicke Mikkelsen is Norway's first astronaut holding only Norwegian citizenship. She served as mission commander on the historic Fram 2 space mission in April 2025, the first mission to fly a polar orbit, i.e., to fly over Earth's North and South Poles. Jannike has since spoken to inspire young people to pursue science and technology, and to express her belief that space exploration could become an important future industry in Norway.
Source: NRK, Astronaut og filmfotograf Jannicke Mikkelsen ble årets Peer Gynt – NRK Innlandet – Lokale nyheter, TV og radio Photo credit: Paul Kleiven/NTB
Source: NRK, Astronaut og filmfotograf Jannicke Mikkelsen ble årets Peer Gynt – NRK Innlandet – Lokale nyheter, TV og radio Photo credit: Paul Kleiven/NTB
