Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Tech
1985
aeronautics
Aerospace for Sustainable Science and Technology
Algemeen dagblad
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital
astronaut
Aviation and Aeronautics faculty TU Delft
Challenger
dead
final interview
Humanity
kidney cancer
new energy
new religion
passed away
physicist
pilot
professor
relapse
renal cell cancer
space flight
TU Delft
tumor
Wubbo Ockels
Monday, 19 May 2014 - 09:35
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Astronaut Wubbo Ockels dead at 68

The first Dutch astronaut, Wubbo Ockels, died this morning at the age of 68. He had been suffering from renal cell cancer. Ockels was a physicist, astronaut, pilot and professor. He was the first Dutch man in space when he made a week-long space flight in 1985 with the Challenger space shuttle.

A few days ago, Ockels was admitted to the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital in Amsterdam. A kidney tumor was discovered by accident in 2008. It was removed successfully, but Ockels relapsed in 2013 when the cancer returned. At the time, Ockels was still actively working as professor of Aerospace for Sustainable Science and Technology at the Aviation and Aeronautics faculty at TU Delft.

Just a day before he died, Wubbo Ockels still wanted to make a "statement for humanity", and asked the Algemeen Dagblad to record his thoughts on his main mission in life: saving the planet. On what Ockels himself knew to be his deathbed, he urged AD reporter Arno Gelder to relay a message directed at the paper's readership.

"I still have a statement, meant for your readers. We have to go towards a new religion, a new energy. And that is called Humanity!"

Ockels said he was not afraid of dying. "I have had a wonderful existence. A super life." He bemoans his dying only for the sorrow it will bring his wife, Joos, and his children.

People across the Netherlands have been leaving messages of condolence for the family and friends of Prof. dr. Wubbo Johannes Ockels on the website condoleance.nl.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Jetten wants the Netherlands to cooperate internationally against fossil subsidies
  • CNV advocates menopause policy in the workplace
  • Explosion at business premises in Vlaardingen, mayor orders building to close
  • SP leader Lilian Marijnissen resigns, party needs a "new face"
  • Environmental organizations challenge Schiphol nature permit in court
  • Storm Elin expected to hit the Netherlands overnight with 90 km/h winds

Top stories

  • SP leader Lilian Marijnissen resigns, party needs a "new face"
  • Storm Elin expected to hit the Netherlands overnight with 90 km/h winds
  • Major fires in Arnhem districts lead to one fatality and the evacuation of homes
  • Law changes that will hit your wallet in 2024
  • Dutch Cabinet talks hit 3 key obstacles, but PVV, NSC, BBB & VVD will keep talking: Report
  • Netherlands issues travel warning for Paris citing terrorism threats

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content