Visit to the Aerospace Center: High goals for NRW!

Visit to the Aerospace Center: High goals for NRW!

On June 8, 2025, the Hösel cultural group visited the German Aerospace Center in Cologne-Wahn. The aim of this exciting excursion was to underline the importance of the center as a hub for technology and scientific research in the region. In over three hours, the members of the cultural group received a comprehensive insight into the center's diverse activities and research.

A real highlight was the impressive presentation about the international space station ISS. This floats about 400 kilometers above the earth and orbits our planet at a rapid speed of 28,000 km/h – a whopping 16 orbits per day! The ISS is not only a place for research, it also helps to understand the effects of weightlessness on the human body while providing valuable information about our Earth and the universe.

Training for the stars

Another interesting point of the visit was the presentation of the extensive preparation that astronauts undergo for their missions on the ISS. This includes not only training in weightlessness, but also medical and psychological tests. The scientists are preparing for very specific challenges, as each astronaut is trained in different phases. The basic training alone lasts one and a half years and includes space technology as well as special skills such as robotics and docking maneuvers, as can also be read on the website of ESA, the European Space Agency. There, the prospective astronauts learn everything important about the ISS systems and learn how to effectively solve problems in space.

In addition to the training, the cultural group was also impressed by a new partial replica of the lunar landscape that was installed at the center. This is intended to help astronauts practice landings and stationing on the moon, as the moon is planned as a stopover for future missions to Mars.

Future prospects and international cooperation

As part of its initiatives, the Hösel cultural group plans to continue the “Technological Trends” series with a visit to the Jülich Research Center. Exclusive international visits, including to CERN in Geneva, to nuclear fusion research in Itter and to Airbus in Toulouse, are also being discussed.

The topic of space travel is more relevant than ever. Only recently did the Soyuz MS-26 astronauts, including Americans Don Pettit and Russians such as Alexei Ovchinin, successfully reach the ISS. Despite international tensions, space cooperation remains strong, as shown by recent developments and the support of the head of Roscosmos, who favors extending the agreement with the US until 2025. In addition to the everyday challenges, it is currently a test of patience for astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore as they have to stay on board longer than planned due to technical problems. ZDF reports.

In this exciting era of space travel and technology, the German Aerospace Center in Cologne-Wahn impressively shows how important it is to pursue innovative paths and inspire young talent for science. A visit that not only stimulates knowledge but also the thought of future adventures in space.

For anyone interested in learning more about the training and preparation of astronauts, it is worth taking a look at the website ESA, where the demanding training programs are presented in detail. Cologne remains an important player in space research and an important technical location in North Rhine-Westphalia

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