Deutsche Raumfahrtausstellung

Current exhibitions

About the museum

On August 26, 1978, Sigmund Jähn from Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz became the first German in space as part of the Soviet Interkosmos program. A little over a year later, in October 1979, his home village opened a permanent exhibition on the first joint space flight of the Soviet Union and the GDR, housed in a former railroad building.

After German reunification the exhibition faced closure, but the local council, Jähn himself and figures from the space community campaigned for a new concept. By 1991 this had produced an all-German space exhibition, for which a supporting association was founded in 1992; its members include almost all German astronauts. The concept was developed together with the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) and the Deutsches Museum.

In March 2007 the exhibition moved into a new building with considerably more space, plus an outdoor area with a planet park and a space-themed playground. Covering around 950 square meters on two levels, it now ranges from early rocket experiments through Sputnik, the moon landing and space stations to satellites for weather, communications and environmental monitoring; a separate section honors Jähn. Since 2023 an extension has been under construction with a cinema, bistro, conference area and the interactive exhibition “Mission Weltall”, whose opening has been announced for summer 2027.

Highlights

• Walk-through training module of the MIR space station's core module
• Original spacesuits and experiments from Salyut, MIR and the ISS
• Exhibition “Unvergessen” (Unforgotten) about Sigmund Jähn
• 1:25 scale rocket models, including the SLS moon rocket
• Space cinema showing the film “Traumberuf Astronaut” (Dream Job Astronaut)
• Planet park and space-themed playground in the outdoor area

Permanent exhibitions

• Deutsche Raumfahrtausstellung – Two levels covering the history of spaceflight, human and robotic space travel, German missions, satellite technology and the walk-through MIR training module.
• Unvergessen – Sigmund Jähn – Personal loans and exhibits on the life and space flight of the first German cosmonaut, a native of the village.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Verein Deutsche Raumfahrtausstellung Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz e. V.

Admission & discounts

Guided tours by advance booking (20–40 people) at a flat rate of €80 for adults or €25 for children, plus admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free entrance, elevator to the upper floor; only the walk-through MIR core module is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children's audio guide and "All-Berts Rätseltour" (puzzle tour; €1 surcharge), "All-Berts Raumstation" play area for small children, space playground and planet park in the outdoor area; certified as a "Familienfreundliches Erlebnis" (family-friendly experience).

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

Eating and drinking not allowed in the exhibition rooms. With the extension building (opening announced for summer 2027), a shop, space bistro and conference area are to be added.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit