Space Expo pays tribute to Wubbo Ockels with a temporary exhibition.
On October 30, 1985, Wubbo Ockels (1946 – 2014) became the first Dutch person to fly into space. Forty years later, Space Expo honors this historic milestone with a new, temporary exhibition: Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth. The exhibition was developed in collaboration with Joos Ockels, Wubbo's wife. It features unique, never-before-seen objects and footage. Come visit and be inspired by Wubbo's story!
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The exhibition highlights both Wubbo Ockels' spaceflight and his life's mission. Joos Ockels: "The spaceflight period in Wubbo's life was intense. This exhibition reflects the global attention and his personal experiences."
About the exhibition
On October 30, 1985, Wubbo embarked on his space journey aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. As an astronaut in Spacelab, he was co-responsible for the scientific experiments. Wubbo returned to Earth on November 6. The exhibition features various objects from this period, ranging from the original job advertisement to items that traveled into space.
On the other hand, the exhibition shows how the space journey changed Wubbo’s perspective on Earth forever. The fragility of our planet 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 materials. Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth can be visited from November 1, 2025, through December 2026.
Donation
In April 2024, Joos Ockels donated her husband's collection to Space Expo. The donation consisted of over 100 objects, including certificates and clothing worn in space. Joos also donated his personal archive, consisting of 30 folders containing memorabilia from the time of Wubbo's 1985 space mission. A selection of these items is now on display for the first time in the new exhibition. Space Expo remains deeply grateful to Joos for the donation and for her close involvement in the development of this exhibition.
Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth
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