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German Space Travel Exhibition

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Coordinates: 50°27′46″N 12°29′33″E / 50.46289°N 12.492598°E / 50.46289; 12.492598
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German Space Travel Exhibition with the MiG-21F-13 which was used by the first German cosmonaut Sigmund Jähn in front of it.
German Space Travel Exhibition with "planet park".

The German Space Travel Exhibition (German: Deutsche Raumfahrtausstellung) is a permanent exhibition in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz, Germany. The exhibition is dedicated to spaceflight and space exploration.

History

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Sigmund Jähn, born in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz, was the first German astronaut to complete a space mission as part of the Interkosmos program in 1978. To commemorate the joint USSR – GDR space flight, a permanent exhibition was opened in his hometown in 1979 under the name Permanent exhibition of the first joint cosmos flight USSR – GDR (German: Ständige Ausstellung des ersten gemeinsamen Kosmosfluges UdSSR–DDR). Today, Jähn's hometown is part of the municipality of Muldenhammer in the rural district of Vogtlandkreis.

Following German reunification in 1990, this exhibition was broadened to feature a pan-German perspective on space. In 2006/2007, the exhibition was given a new building with significantly more space and an outdoor area including a "planetary park" and a space travel-themed playground. The exhibition is operated by a non-profit registered association and hosts up to 70,000 visitors per year.[1]

The former railway building that originally housed the exhibition still exists. Today it serves as a guesthouse and bistro, with decor inspired by space travel and steampunk.[2][3] In 2020 the street where the exhibition is located was renamed from "Bahnhofstraße" to "Dr.-Sigmund-Jähn-Straße".[4]

The exhibition has been scheduled for expansion since 2020,[5] with an anticipated investment requirement of 8.7 million euros to be allocated to the establishment of a cinematic experience, space bistro, conference centre, and museum shop for visitors.[6][7] Construction has started in spring 2023[8] after delays from the previously announced start in 2022.[9] The exhibition website announces closure of the space as of April 2025 due to construction works, the opening is planned for 2025.[7][10][11]

Collection

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The exhibition concept, which was developed in close cooperation with representatives of the German Aerospace Center and the German Museum Munich, includes four main themes:

  • Insights into the history of spaceflight and space exploration
  • Presentation of the benefits of space travel for the Earth
  • Information about space projects in which Germany is involved
  • Appreciation of the achievements of German researchers, engineers, scientists, cosmonauts and astronauts

Important Exhibits

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Rocket models 1:25 scale
  • Accessible base block of the Soviet MIR space station
  • Original – spacesuits
  • Original engine of a V2 rocket
  • Models of many carrier systems (rockets / Shuttle) on a scale of 1:25
  • Engineering model AZUR – first German satellite
  • Original experiments from the space stations Salyut, MIR and ISS
  • Coupling simulator Soyuz spaceship / ISS
  • Airplane MiG-21F-13
  • In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are 1–2 special exhibitions a year.

Operating association

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The registered association Space Travel Exhibition Association (German: Deutschen Raumfahrtausstellung e.V.) has over 250 national and international members. Almost all German astronauts and cosmonauts are association members. The association designs and operates the exhibition and also organizes various symposia and events. A highlight event is the space travel days with astronauts and cosmonauts, technicians and scientists as well as space travel fans and technically interested people.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Spatenstich und Förderurkundenübergabe am 1.9. Dt. Raumfahrtausstellung Morgenröthe/Rautenkranz". bmdv.bund.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  2. ^ "Wohnen wie bei Jules Verne: Das Vogtland hat jetzt eine Steampunk-Pension | Freie Presse – Oberes Vogtland". www.freiepresse.de.
  3. ^ "Geschichte der Steampunk Pension Weltraumbahnhof 1875". Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  4. ^ "Dr.-Sigmund-Jähn-Straße in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz offiziell enthüllt | Freie Presse – Oberes Vogtland". www.freiepresse.de.
  5. ^ "Sigmund Jähns Geburtsort will Wissenszentrum werden". Berliner Zeitung (in German). 2020-07-12. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  6. ^ Weckbrodt, Heiko (2023-09-01). "Raumfahrtmuseum in Sachsen wächst". Oiger (in German). Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  7. ^ a b "So soll das Raumfahrt-Museum in Sigmund Jähns Heimat bald aussehen". www.saechsische.de (in German). 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  8. ^ Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Referat Kommunikation und; Tourismus, Sächsische Staatsministerin für Kultur und. "Erster Spatenstich für die Erweiterung der Deutschen Raumfahrtausstellung in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz". www.medienservice.sachsen.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  9. ^ "Baubeginn ist wohl erst 2022 möglich | Freie Presse – Auerbach". www.freiepresse.de. 28 November 2020.
  10. ^ mdr.de (1 September 2023). "Spatenstich: Erlebniswelt zur Raumfahrt entsteht in Muldenhammer | MDR.DE". www.mdr.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  11. ^ mdr.de (2 March 2023). "Bund gibt 800.000 Euro für Raumfahrtmuseum in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz | MDR.DE". www.mdr.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-11-23.
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50°27′46″N 12°29′33″E / 50.46289°N 12.492598°E / 50.46289; 12.492598

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