Wubbo Ockels: First Dutch Astronaut Dies at 68
May 18, 2014
Wubbo Ockels was a Dutch physicist and astronaut. Born on March 28, 1946, in Almelo, Netherlands, he studied physics at Groningen.
In 1985 he became the first Dutchman in space, flying as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Challenger on mission STS-61-A. He later became a professor of aerospace engineering at Delft University of Technology.
He worked on sustainable aviation and the Superbus. Ockels died of cancer in Amsterdam on May 18, 2014, at age 68.
Achievements: First Dutch citizen in space (1985).
Birth: March 28, 1946 - Almelo, Netherlands.
Profession: Astronaut and physicist.
Interesting Facts: He was a professor at Delft.