Wubbo Ockels Exhibition at Space Expo

On 30 October 1985, Wubbo Ockels (1946–2014) became the first Dutchman to fly in space. Forty years on, Space Expo is honouring this historic milestone with a new, temporary exhibition: Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth.The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with Joos Ockels, Wubbo’s wife. It features unique, never-before-seen objects and images. Come along and be inspired by Wubbo’s story!

Joos Ockels: “The spaceflight period in Wubbo’s life was intense. This exhibition reflects the global attention it received and his personal experiences.”

What is on display?

In 1985, Wubbo flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. In Spacelab, he was jointly responsible for various scientific experiments. On 6 November, Wubbo returned to Earth. The exhibition features various objects from this period, ranging from the first job advertisement to items that travelled into space. It also 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 material.