Wubbo Ockels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wubbo Ockels
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| Born | 28 March 1946 Almelo, Netherlands
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| Died | 18 May 2014 (aged 68) Amsterdam, Netherlands
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation | Physicist |
| Space career | |
| ESA Astronaut | |
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Time in space
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7d 00h 44m |
| Selection | 1978 ESA Group |
| Missions | STS-61-A |
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Mission insignia
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Wubbo Johannes Ockels (born March 28, 1946 – died May 18, 2014) was a Dutch physicist and astronaut. He worked for the European Space Agency (ESA). In 1985, he made history by becoming the first Dutch person to fly into space. He was a 'payload specialist' on a mission called STS-61-A. After his space journey, he became a professor. He taught aerospace engineering at Delft University of Technology.
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Early Life and Learning
Wubbo Ockels was born in Almelo, Netherlands. But he always thought of Groningen as his true home. He was a very smart student. In 1973, he earned his master's degree in physics and mathematics. Then, in 1978, he got his PhD in the same subjects. Both degrees were from the University of Groningen.
Before becoming an astronaut, Wubbo did a lot of research. From 1973 to 1978, he worked at the Nuclear Physics Accelerator Institute in Groningen. He studied how tiny particles behave. He also helped design new electronic systems and computer programs. He even helped build special detectors for particles. While working there, he also taught first-year physics students.
Becoming an ESA Astronaut
In 1978, the European Space Agency (ESA) chose Wubbo Ockels. He was one of three European 'payload specialists' picked to train for the Spacelab 1 mission. In 1980, ESA and NASA agreed that Wubbo and another astronaut, Claude Nicollier, would train in Houston, Texas. They learned how to be mission specialists.
In 1981, Wubbo decided to focus only on the Spacelab mission. He became a backup payload specialist for the Spacelab 1 crew. This mission used a special science lab built by ESA. It flew on the Space Shuttle in November 1983. Wubbo was the first Dutch citizen astronaut. (Another Dutch-born person, Lodewijk van den Berg, flew before him, but he was an American citizen). Wubbo worked in Mission Control in Houston during the Spacelab 1 flight. He was the main person talking to the astronauts in space.
Wubbo Ockels finally flew into space on the Space Shuttle Challenger mission. This was from October 30 to November 6, 1985. It was a special mission for West Germany called D-1 Spacelab. It was the first time eight crew members flew together. There were five Americans, two Germans, and Wubbo. It was also the first time that experiments in space were controlled from outside the United States. They were controlled from Germany. The crew did over 75 science experiments. These included studies on the human body, materials, and biology. Wubbo traveled 2.5 million miles and spent over 168 hours in space!
A small space rock, called a planetoid, was named after Wubbo Ockels. It orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Its full name is 9496 Ockels.
From 1999 to 2003, Wubbo was in charge of ESA's educational projects. He helped teach people about space.
Scientific Work and Ideas
In 1992, Wubbo Ockels became a professor at Delft University of Technology. He taught about aerospace engineering and sustainable technology. He led projects like the Nuna solar cars. He also suggested creating a Superbus. This was a new idea for fast public transportation on roads, designed to go 250 kilometers per hour (about 155 miles per hour).
Wubbo was also a pioneer in airborne wind energy. He worked on a project called "Laddermill." This project aimed to create sustainable energy using kites high in the sky.
He helped the Nuon Solar Team, a group of students who built solar-powered cars. This team won the World Solar Challenge four times in a row from 2001 to 2007. Wubbo also started the Superbus project. He also helped start a company called "The Green Canals" that focused on sustainable engineering.
In 2009, Wubbo gave a talk about time. He believed that our idea of time is something humans created based on how we understand gravity.
Family Life
Wubbo Ockels was married and had two children, Geanneke (born 1973) and Martin (born 1980). He also had two grandchildren.
His sister, Marjet Ockels, was a politician.
An indie-pop band called John Wayne Shot Me even recorded a song named "Wubbo Ockels."
Health and Passing
In August 2005, Wubbo Ockels had a serious heart attack. He had to go to the hospital. Luckily, he recovered well and went back to work at Delft University. But in May 2013, it was announced that he had a serious form of kidney cancer. Doctors thought he might have one to two years to live. Wubbo Ockels sadly passed away from complications of cancer on May 18, 2014.
Awards and Honors
- Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
- Merit Cross 1st Class (Officer's Cross) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- NASA Public Service Award
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- Generaal Snijdersfonds Gold Medal (the highest award for aviation in the Netherlands)
See also
In Spanish: Wubbo Ockels para niños
