Bochum Space Day & ESERO Family Day were a complete success
March 30, 2026Satisfied faces on all sides in the radome of Bochum Observatory
Despite the bad weather, more than 350 space enthusiasts made their way to the observatory in Bochum-Sundern last Saturday, March 28, 2026, and WDR also reported live!
WDR OB van in front of the radome and the antennas of the QO-100 ground station, live via ASTRA 1P.
The Bochum Observatory, as part of the ESERO Germany space education office, had put together a varied and high-calibre lecture program together with AMSAT Germany. In addition to ESA and DLR, various universities and technology experts were represented and reported on current developments in the field of space travel, regularly linked to educational aspects.
Between the interesting presentations, there was also an opportunity for experts and visitors to exchange ideas. Another “far-reaching” highlight was the live radio contact from the radome to Windhoek/Namibia via the geostationary amateur radio satellite QO-100.
Guido Elsner DL9DBP and Thilo Elsner DJ5YM, in contact with Werner V51JP in Windhoek/Namibia
Outside of the lecture room, the radome with its exhibitions and various research and creative stations in the “ESERO Exploration Area” attracted the family audience to join in and try things out throughout the day. Waffles and sausages were also on offer.
WDR broadcast several live reports from the radome. In anticipation of the upcoming manned NASA Artemis-II mission to the moon, there was also a live broadcast directly into our control room. The launch of the rocket will take place on April 1-2 at the earliest. AMSAT-DL and Observatory Bochum will follow the flight for the duration of the mission and provide NASA with important Doppler data to measure the orbit.
Peter Gülzow (DB2OS), President of AMSAT-DL
Thilo Elsner (DJ5YM), Head of the Bochum Observatory and 2nd Chairman of AMSAT-DL
The report in the “WDR Lokalzeit am Samstag” from March 28, 2026 can be accessed below. From minute 10:35, reporter Jennifer Massow from Bochum reported on the Day of Astronomy.
ARD Mediathek, WDR Lokalzeit on Saturday 28-03-2026
Conclusion
It was an all-round successful Bochum Space Day 2026 for everyone involved!
Many thanks to all those involved in front of and behind the scenes.
Thilo Elsner, Head of Bochum Observatory
Peter Gülzow, Chairman of AMSAT-DL
