From Space to Windhoek: Dr Matthias Maurer Inspires the DHPS School Community
Some encounters change the way we see the world. For the learners at the
Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS), ESA astronaut Dr Matthias
Maurer’s visit was one such encounter.
It’s not every day that someone who has already seen our planet from space walks through our school gates. Yet that is exactly what happened on Friday, 2 October 2026: Dr Maurer took the time to meet the DHPS school community and speak to a packed DHPS auditorium filled with learners from all grades. He answered their questions and shared experiences that went far beyond anything one can learn from a textbook.
Dr Matthias Maurer is one of the few people in the world to have seen the Earth from space. As the 600th person to travel into space, the fourth German to undertake a spacewalk and a crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS), he spent 177 days in orbit, circled the Earth 2,832 times and travelled more than 120 million kilometres.
During his “Cosmic Kiss” mission aboard the ISS, he worked on scientific experiments, lived in weightlessness for months and looked down on our planet day after day from a perspective that very few people are privileged to experience.
Yet although his achievements are undoubtedly impressive, it was above all his personality that captivated the learners. Open, approachable and clearly passionate about his work, Dr Maurer spoke about his journey to becoming an astronaut. He talked about the importance of teamwork, gave insights into the preparations for a space mission and daily life aboard the ISS and took his audience on an extraordinary journey into space.
One message in particular ran through his talk: Great goals often begin with curiosity, ambition and people who believe in those dreams together.
From the youngest learners in grade 1 right through to those about to leave school, the DHPS school community listened with great interest and attention. In the discussion that followed, many took the opportunity to ask questions about space exploration, science and technology, as well as Dr Maurer’s perspective on the future of our planet.
It became clear that this visit was far more than just a presentation about space travel. It was an invitation to think bigger. It demonstrated how science can transcend boundaries and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in tackling the challenges of our time.
Dr Maurer himself is also looking firmly towards the future. As an ESA astronaut, he is preparing for the next era of human spaceflight. His ambition is to take part in the planned Artemis mission to the Moon and represent Europe on the journey to our nearest celestial neighbour.
For the DHPS, Dr Maurer’s visit to the campus was a very special occasion. Of all the places where he could have shared his experiences, he chose to spend time with the learners in Windhoek, explore the campus and engage with the school community with great warmth and openness.
DHPS would like to express its sincere thanks to Dr Matthias Maurer, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Embassy in Windhoek for making this extraordinary encounter possible.
Some guests leave us with memories. Others give us new perspectives. Dr Matthias Maurer managed to do both.
It’s not every day that someone who has already seen our planet from space walks through our school gates. Yet that is exactly what happened on Friday, 2 October 2026: Dr Maurer took the time to meet the DHPS school community and speak to a packed DHPS auditorium filled with learners from all grades. He answered their questions and shared experiences that went far beyond anything one can learn from a textbook.
Dr Matthias Maurer is one of the few people in the world to have seen the Earth from space. As the 600th person to travel into space, the fourth German to undertake a spacewalk and a crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS), he spent 177 days in orbit, circled the Earth 2,832 times and travelled more than 120 million kilometres.
During his “Cosmic Kiss” mission aboard the ISS, he worked on scientific experiments, lived in weightlessness for months and looked down on our planet day after day from a perspective that very few people are privileged to experience.
Yet although his achievements are undoubtedly impressive, it was above all his personality that captivated the learners. Open, approachable and clearly passionate about his work, Dr Maurer spoke about his journey to becoming an astronaut. He talked about the importance of teamwork, gave insights into the preparations for a space mission and daily life aboard the ISS and took his audience on an extraordinary journey into space.
One message in particular ran through his talk: Great goals often begin with curiosity, ambition and people who believe in those dreams together.
From the youngest learners in grade 1 right through to those about to leave school, the DHPS school community listened with great interest and attention. In the discussion that followed, many took the opportunity to ask questions about space exploration, science and technology, as well as Dr Maurer’s perspective on the future of our planet.
It became clear that this visit was far more than just a presentation about space travel. It was an invitation to think bigger. It demonstrated how science can transcend boundaries and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in tackling the challenges of our time.
Dr Maurer himself is also looking firmly towards the future. As an ESA astronaut, he is preparing for the next era of human spaceflight. His ambition is to take part in the planned Artemis mission to the Moon and represent Europe on the journey to our nearest celestial neighbour.
For the DHPS, Dr Maurer’s visit to the campus was a very special occasion. Of all the places where he could have shared his experiences, he chose to spend time with the learners in Windhoek, explore the campus and engage with the school community with great warmth and openness.
DHPS would like to express its sincere thanks to Dr Matthias Maurer, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Embassy in Windhoek for making this extraordinary encounter possible.
Some guests leave us with memories. Others give us new perspectives. Dr Matthias Maurer managed to do both.