Aurora Expeditions has announced that a former NASA astronaut will be joining passengers on an upcoming eclipse-themed voyage to Greenland. Olivia Palamountain reports

Aurora Expeditions has announced that former NASA astronaut will join its 2026 Jewels of the Arctic - Greenland Solar Eclipse expedition, offering passengers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the world’s most remote destinations alongside a true space explorer.

Dr. Sandra H. “Sandy” Magnus, a veteran NASA astronaut and aerospace engineer, will headline the epic voyage, which runs from August 2 - 16, 2026.

She has spent more than 150 days in space, including missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and participation in the final space shuttle flight, STS-135. With an extensive career spanning NASA, the U. Department of Defense, and global aerospace initiatives, she brings an unparalleled perspective on science, exploration and the human drive to push boundaries.

“I have spent my career exploring the vastness of space, but there is still so much to discover right here on our own planet,” says Dr. Magnus. “I’m excited to partner with Aurora Expeditions and share in the adventure of exploring Earth’s polar regions.”

As a special guest on this expedition, Dr. Magnus will share her insights through engaging lectures and guided discussions. She will draw connections between space and the polar regions, emphasising the importance of scientific research, environmental stewardship and the spirit of discovery that unites both disciplines.

“Aurora Expeditions is dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between our travellers and the natural world,” says Michael Heath, CEO at Aurora Expeditions. “Having Dr. Magnus onboard offers an extraordinary chance to learn from a pioneering explorer whose experiences extend beyond our planet.”

This unique journey takes travellers through Svalbard aboard the Greg Mortimer, where near-endless daylight illuminates a world of polar bears, walrus haul-outs on sea ice, and towering cliffs alive with guillemots and fulmars.

The adventure continues into East Greenland, home to Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system in the world, where passengers will visit the remote Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, cruise among sculpted icebergs, and walk across tundra bursting with colourful blooms.

Prices for the expedition start at $US24,995 based on two people sharing.

Expedition Highlights

• Witness a solar eclipse,  a truly unforgettable experience in one of the most pristine regions on Earth.

• Observe Arctic wildlife, including polar bears hunting on pack ice, ringed seals, and Arctic foxes beneath cliffs teeming with seabirds.

• Push through pack ice in Svalbard, searching for incredible wildlife encounters.

• Experience Greenland’s vast wilderness, quietly approaching musk oxen and reindeer on tundra walks.

• Zodiac cruise along vast glacial fronts and into Øfjord, where the setting sun paints towering 2,000-meter (6,562-foot) cliffs in brilliant shades of pink.

Photo credit: Bill Stafford