NASA ASTRONAUT DOUG HURLEY TO MAKE RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN BEDFORDSHIRE

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NASA ASTRONAUT DOUG HURLEY TO MAKE RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN BEDFORDSHIRE

The pilot of the final Space Shuttle mission and commander of SpaceX’s first crewed flight joins The Armchair Astronaut at Cranfield on Saturday 7 November 2026.

Residents across Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and beyond have an exceptionally rare opportunity to meet former NASA astronaut Doug Hurley at The Armchair Astronaut’s Autumn Space Social, currently his only scheduled public appearance worldwide.

Hurley holds a remarkable place in spaceflight history. He piloted Space Shuttle Atlantis on NASA’s final Shuttle mission in 2011, then returned to space in 2020 as spacecraft commander of SpaceX’s first crewed Crew Dragon flight, Demo-2. That historic mission restored crewed launches from American soil.

A veteran of three spaceflights and a former US Marine Corps test pilot, Hurley experienced both the closing chapter of the Space Shuttle programme and the beginning of a new era of human spaceflight. The Cranfield event offers an opportunity to hear those experiences first-hand and ask him questions directly.

The Armchair Astronaut is an independent, self-funded, not-for-profit community group based in Milton Keynes, dedicated to making interactive space encounters accessible to the general public.

Through live astronaut events, school visits and educational experiences, it bridges the gap between space exploration, the people inspired by it, and the industry behind it. Audiences can hear first-hand experiences, ask their own questions and engage directly with astronauts, making space feel more relatable, accessible and achievable.

Guided by a core mission value that “Space is for everyone,” the group brings together families, students, teachers, enthusiasts and industry professionals. Its public events also help fund educational outreach, including astronaut visits to schools and fully funded primary school trips, connecting young people with the possibilities of science, engineering and careers in space.

Rowland Lindill, founder of The Armchair Astronaut, said:
“Very few astronauts have stood at the end of one era and the beginning of another. Doug was in the cockpit for the final Space Shuttle mission and commanded the first crewed SpaceX flight. Bringing someone with that experience to our local community is an extraordinary opportunity.”
“We want to bridge the gap between watching space exploration from home and engaging with the people who make it happen. Asking an astronaut your own question creates a personal connection that can stay with you for life. That same ambition drives our educational outreach: helping young people see that science, engineering and a future in space can be within their reach.”

EVENT DETAILS

The Autumn Space Social takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire.

General Admission — £49
12 noon to 4pm, Vincent Building

Includes:

  • A live astronaut talk with Doug Hurley, beginning at 2pm.
  • Live, unscripted audience Q&A.
  • Access to space and STEM exhibitors.
  • One in-person autograph.
    An optional professional meet-and-greet photograph is available for £30 per photo, including a mounted print and digital download.

The event welcomes guests of all ages; every attendee requires a valid ticket. Free parking is available, and Cranfield is conveniently located between Milton Keynes and Bedford, close to M1 Junction 14.

ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED
Attendance is strictly by advance booking only. All guests must purchase tickets online before the event. There will be no admission sales on the day. Capacity is limited.

Full event details and bookings:
https://thearmchairastronaut.co.uk/doug-hurley

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