Feel like an astronaut

They had to wait almost two years for it, but now the time had finally come and a dream came true for some young students of the JUNGE UNI in Bocholt. 25 children and young people now set off together by bus to Noordwijk in the Netherlands to gain a very special insight into space travel.

As guests of the European Space Agency (ESA), the space research and technology center, they were allowed to feel like astronauts. After a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride, during which the participants were briefed on the visit to the ESA station, and a successful "security check" at the entrance to the building, they started with a lecture. Exciting things were reported to the curious and interested children and young people in English.

From 3D printing on the moon to detailed information about the space station, there was a lot to learn. Afterwards, the group was guided around the site, where there was a lot to discover. Starting with a model of the ISS space station and various space capsules, the tour continued to a Mars test site. The group visited a spaceplane and examined the prototype of a Russian space suit. Through a flap on the back of the suit, all students were able to slip into the "second skin" of an astronaut.

The highlight was the virtual tour of the ISS space station. With VR glasses, the young students were able to marvel at everything up close and personal. The tour of the replica research laboratory, which resembles the ISS, also impressed the group. The Mars rover "Exomars" was also remarkable and fascinating, because it is actually to be used on Mars in the near future.

Background: YOUNG UNI in Bocholt

The Leonardo da Vinci Innovation project is carried out within the framework of the INTERREG program Germany-Nederland and is co-financed by the European Union, the province of Gelderland, and MWIDE NRW. More information and all events and offers at www.juboh.de.