On 30 October 1985, Wubbo Ockels (1946–2014) became the first Dutch person to travel into space. Forty years later, Space Expo celebrates this historic milestone with a new temporary exhibition: Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth.
About the exhibiton
The exhibition was developed in collaboration with Joos Ockels, Wubbo’s wife. Discover unique, never-before-seen objects and footage.
Joos Ockels: “The spaceflight period in Wubbo’s life was intense. This exhibition reflects the worldwide attention it received and his personal experiences.”
What’s on display?
In 1985, Wubbo flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Working in Spacelab, he was jointly responsible for a range of scientific experiments. On 6 November, Wubbo returned to Earth. The exhibition features a variety of objects from this period: from the original job advertisement to items that actually travelled into space.
The exhibition also reveals how Wubbo’s journey into space forever changed his view of our planet. The fragility of Earth inspired him to dedicate himself to sustainability, innovation, and education. Projects such as the Nuna solar car and a solar-powered bus are showcased through scale models and visual material.
Visit the exhibition
Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth will be on display at Space Expo from 1 November 2025 through December 2026. Visit us and be inspired by Wubbo’s remarkable story!
Lectures Joos Ockels (only in Dutch)
In 2026, Joos Ockels will also give four lectures at Space Expo, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes insight into Wubbo’s journey into space.
Lecture dates
- Sunday 25 January 2026, 14:00 – 15:00
- Sunday 22 March 2026, 14:00 – 15:00
- Sunday 14 June 2026, 14:00 – 15:00
- Sunday 8 November 2026, 14:00 – 15:00
In her lecture, Joos shares how Wubbo’s space mission forever changed his view of Earth. She will speak about our ecological footprint and explore different climate change scenarios. How can we make our world more sustainable? Innovation offers endless possibilities! Be inspired by Wubbo’s message: love the Earth and share it with each other and with nature.
Practical information
Language: the lecture is only in Dutch
Price: €8 per ticket. All proceeds from these lectures will go towards the renewal of Space Expo and the Grandparents for Climate foundation.
Tickets: You can book your ticket up to three months in advance via our ticket page.
-
Select the desired number of tickets.
-
Choose the date and the time slot for your visit to Space Expo.
-
Then select the number of lecture tickets you wish to book.
-
Complete your order.
-
You will receive both your museum and lecture tickets by email. Please bring all tickets with you on the day of your visit.