German Space Travel Exhibition

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]

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

• 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.