A German astronaut is expected to visit Namibia next week as part of a 10-day tour aimed at strengthening scientific ties between Namibia and Europe and inspiring young people to explore careers in science, technology and innovation.
Matthias Maurer, an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), will be in Namibia from 1 to 10 October and will participate in the country’s World Space Week commemoration from 5 to 9 October.
In a statement issued by the German Embassy in Namibia on 23 September, the embassy says this marks Maurer’s first visit to Namibia and he is expected to engage with about 8 000 pupils in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Ongwediva and Oshakati.
“He will deliver a key note speech at the opening of the World Space Week in Windhoek on 5 October,” the embassy says.
The world space week will be organised by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCSRT) as part of a United Nations initiative, under the theme ‘Rocket Revolution’.
Beyond meeting pupils, his visit will include tours of several of Namibia’s scientific and astronomical research sites, including the Gobabeb Desert Research Station, the High Energy Stereoscopic System observatory, the Africa Millimetre Telescope currently under construction and the International Amateur Observatory in the Gamsberg area.
Maurer became an ESA astronaut in 2015 and spent 177 days aboard the International Space Station between 2021 and 2022. He is currently preparing for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Artemis mission to the moon, scheduled for 2028.
His visit is expected to raise political and public awareness about the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space for the benefit and interest of all humankind while demonstrating the importance of space-related science, technology and research.
