The ÖWF at the German Aerospace Day

More than 60.000 guest visited the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne on Sunday, September 20th. During the German Aerospace Day, the DLR and the European Space Agency ESA together with their partners presented current research projects and missions in fields such as aerospace, energy and transport as well as security.

The interested masses of visitors were invited to a vast areal with many green sites. Located in the tent ‘Astronauts and Exploration’ in the space village next to the ESA-DLR main stage, the Austrian Space Forum (ÖWF) exhibited its spacesuit simulator ‘Aouda.X’. Starting around 10 AM and lasting until the evening, we talked and explained to all guests the activities of the ÖWF. Large crowds of visitors streamed into our tent and it only became quieter when the ESA astronauts were on stage. Luckily for us, we were so close that we could follow the action.

Marlen Raab explains the ÖWF activities to interested visitors (c) ÖWF 2015

At 12 PM, we finished donning and our analog astronaut Dr. Carmen Köhler was fully suited in the Aouda.X. She posed for countless pictures with young and old visitors and answered all of their questions via microphone. Throughout the day, Carmen conducted several EVAs (Extra Vehicular Activity), which meant that she walked around in the DLR area with other ÖWF team members.

Donning is over: Dr. Gernot Grömer presents analog astronaut Dr. Carmen Köhler in her Aouda suit to the crowd (c) ÖWF 2015

During the entire day, we were talking about the ÖWF, our spacesuit simulator, analog astronauts and missions, future Mars missions, etc. The visitors were interested and excited, kept asking questions and wanted to take pictures. So basically, I spent the entire day talking about things that I love and am excited about, and everyone was listening with great interest. That was soooooo nice.

Analog astronaut Dr. Carmen Köhler in her Aouda suit taking a bath in the crowd (c) ÖWF 2015

It was only upon leaving the DLR area that I realized just HOW MANY people have been there that day. The rich, green lawn which we saw in the morning was trampled over in many places and looked bruised. Seems like the DLR really hosted a gigantic event!

Author: Marlen Raab

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