Meet SpaceX Inspiration4 Astronaut Chris Sembroski on Saturday 7th March 2026!

The Armchair Astronaut
The Armchair Astronaut
  • Home
  • Chris Sembroski
  • Store
  • Astronaut Visits
  • Gallery
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Home
    • Chris Sembroski
    • Store
    • Astronaut Visits
    • Gallery
    • Reviews
  • Home
  • Chris Sembroski
  • Store
  • Astronaut Visits
  • Gallery
  • Reviews

Spring Space Social

Saturday 7th March 2026

Mitchell Hall, Cranfield

Bedfordshire, UK

Experience an Inspiring Journey to Space...

Meet SpaceX Inspiration4 Astronaut Chris Sembroski appearing live at our Spring Space Social 2026!


SpaceX Inspiration4 was the first orbital spaceflight with only private citizens aboard and was part of a charitable effort that raised awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the USA.

The four crew members represented the mission pillars; Leadership, Hope Generosity and Prosperity. The seat for Generosity was assigned to Chris Sembroski, a data engineer and Air Force veteran.


  • Worlds first all-civilian orbital spaceflight.
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket & "Resilience" Crew Dragon Spacecraft.
  • Launched 15th September 2021. Landed 18th September 2021.
  • Achieved an orbital altitude of 575km, higher than the International Space Station (420km) and Hubble Space Telescope (540km).


FIRST TIME IN THE UK EVENT!

Chris Sembroski is coming to the UK on Saturday 7th March 2026 to meet with our members and share the story of his journey to space as a crew member on this historic first all-civilian spaceflight.

We have different ticket options to chose from depending on the level of interaction and event features you wish to experience.

The Future Of Spaceflight Starts Here

The future of civilian orbital spaceflight started here with the Inspiration4 mission. Chris will guide you through his experiences from training through to launch, orbital spaceflight, re-entry and splashdown. Come and meet the future of spaceflight.

Ticket Options

General Admission

Premium VIP Package

General Admission

Includes access to the event, 12pm-4pm, with trade stands, exhibits, canteen and amenities.


12:00pm

  • Doors Open

1:00pm

  • Optional Meet & Greet Photos (Optional extra payable on the day. Includes meet & greet photo, mounted and signed, and a digital download. See below FAQ's for full details.)
  • Lecture Presentation with Q&A
  • Autograph (In-person, on your own photo or item. One autograph per ticket)

4:00pm

  • Doors Close


Early Bird Price: £40.00 each


Suitable for all ages.

All guests will require a ticket.

VIP Package

Premium VIP Package

General Admission

Includes access to the event, 12pm-10pm, with trade stands, exhibits, canteen and amenities.


12:00pm

  • Doors Open

1:00pm

  • Optional Meet & Greet Photos (Optional extra payable on the day. See below FAQ's for full details.)
  • Priority Front Section Seating at the Lecture Presentation with Q&A
  • Autograph (In-person, on your own photo or item. One autograph per ticket)

4:00pm

  • Doors Close

6:00pm

  • VIP Dinner Event Opens
  • Veteran VIP Award Presentation (for eligible VIP guests only. See below)
  • 3-Course Dinner followed by Tea/Coffee (other drinks not included)
  • After-Dinner Speech with Q&A
  • Exclusive Armchair Astronaut merchandise including flown in space Space Shuttle relic keyring
  • Autographs (Two extra autographs, in-person, on your own photo or item.)

10:00pm

  • Doors close (Retire to the Bar)


Early Bird Price: £119.00 each


VIP Tickets are limited to 50 people to preserve the intimate atmosphere of the VIP experience.

Premium VIP Package

Premium VIP Package

Premium VIP Package

Includes access to the event, 12pm-10pm, with trade stands, exhibits, canteen and amenities.


  • Includes all the benefits of the VIP Package ticket, PLUS:


  • 10% discount voucher for our online Fundraising Space Store.
  • Top Table Seating with drink and over-dinner conversation with Chris Sembroski and our founder.
  • An additional, custom inscribed signed photo (pre-signed).
  • Other benefits may be added but can not be guaranteed.


Early Bird Price: £189.00 each

SOLD OUT

Only 5 Premium VIP Tickets are available!



Exhibitors & Trade Stands Joining Us At This Event

Schools, Clubs & Group Bookings

Are you part of a space group, organisation, club, society or other group and interested in group rates?

Are you a school teacher looking to share this opportunity with your students?

Please contact us for group rates and packages.

Contact Us

Member Benefits & Discounts

By attending this event, you will be the first to know the special guest speaker for our next event and receive priority booking with an exclusive early bird discount.


SUMMER SPACE SOCIAL

Saturday 11th July 2026

Veteran VIP Award

Veteran VIP Award

Have you attended any three of our Astronaut events as a VIP ticket holder?

Veteran VIP Award

  • Awarded on your 3rd VIP event, our exclusive The Armchair Astronaut pin features our distinctive logo cast in 3D silver and contains metal that was FLOWN IN SPACE aboard a NASA Space Shuttle.


Your VIP Award pin will be presented to you by our Astronaut guest in recognition of your continued support and dedication to our mission.

Not for sale. Invitation only. One per person. Terms & conditions apply.


Additional  VIP tenure awards and rewards will be announced in the future.

Reaching For The Stars

National Space Centre

Each year, we give over 50 primary school children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to experience space. Through fully funded trips to the National Space Centre, we cover all costs, from coach travel to entry fees, so every child can experience the wonder of discovery. Alongside them, we deliver engaging talks that ignite their imagination, make space feel relatable, and show them that a future in the UK space industry is not just a dream, but an achievable ambition.

ISSET Mission Discovery

In 2026 we will also be sponsoring a teenage student to attend ISSET Mission Discovery in London where they will work alongside a NASA Astronaut, and other space professionals, in the hope of getting their experiment launched to the International Space Station!


Our Spring Space Social will raise vital funds to ensure we can continue making space accessible for everyone, inspiring young minds, and launching the next generation of British space pioneers.

Location, Date & Times:

Mitchell Hall,

Cranfield University,

College Road, Cranfield, Bedford,

MK43 0AL.


  • Free parking
  • Onsite hotel and canteen
  • 4 miles (10min) from M1 Junction 14
  • 4 miles (10min) from Milton Keynes Coach Station
  • 8 miles (15min) from Milton Keynes Train Station
  • 10 miles (20min) from Bedford Train Station
  • Nearest private airport is onsite at Cranfield Airport just across the road
  • 22 miles (30min) from London Luton International Airport

Mitchell Hall, Wharley End, Bedford, UK

Saturday 7th March 2026

  • General Admission: 12pm to 4pm.
  • VIP Package: 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please Contact Us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Our events are fully inclusive and accessible for all.  Both the event and the venue are accessible.

If you would like further information, or require any special assistance on the day, please contact us providing details of your requirements and we will be happy to review and respond.


To keep prices low and reduce wastage, we no-longer send tickets.

You will receive an email confirmation of your ticket purchase immediately after payment.

Please bring this with you to the event.

We will keep you updated via email with event information.

On arrival at the event, report to registration where you will be issued with a souvenir ticket to access the lecture and claim your autograph.


Our events are suitable for all ages and we encourage all children to dress as Astronauts!

All guests of all ages will need a valid ticket.


The General Admission ticket will entitle you to one autograph.

Our Astronaut guest will sign after the lecture, strictly one autograph per ticket.

No personalisation or inscriptions.

You can bring your own photo to get signed or purchase from a selection of 8x10" photos available at the event.


The VIP Package ticket will entitle you to two additional autographs.

Our Astronaut guest will sign after the dinner, strictly two autographs per ticket.

Personalisation/inscriptions are not guaranteed but can be requested within reason.

You can bring your own photo to get signed or purchase from a selection of 8x10" photos available at the event.


Premium VIP Package ticket holders will get an additional, custom inscribed signed photo (pre-signed).


If you participate in the optional meet & greet photo with our professional photographer (£30 payable to the photographer on the day), your mounted photo will be ready for collection at the end of the lecture. This photo will also be signed for you, if you want, in-person by Chris.


Our Astronaut guest reserves the right to refuse signing some items at their discretion.


Tickets and vouchers are not refundable.

The Armchair Astronaut will only guarantee a refund if the event is cancelled by us. Our liability in this case will be limited to the face value of your tickets and autograph/book vouchers.


If you purchase tickets but are later unable to attend the event, please let us know by email as soon as possible. We will honour the autograph and send you a signed 8x10" after the event at no additional charge, along with your souvenir ticket stub which remained uncollected at the registration desk, and any other branded merchandise included in your ticket price.


This is your opportunity to meet and greet with our Astronaut guest, one-to-one. A professional photographer will be there to capture the moment, using green-screen technology to preserve the memory.

In order to keep ticket prices low, this is an optional extra and chargeable on the day at £30 per photo. The fee is per photo, NOT per person, so your whole party can be in one photo. Pay the photographer directly on the day.

Your photo will be printed and mounted ready for collection as you leave the lecture hall. A digital download will be available shortly afterwards.


Your meet & greet photo will also be signed for you, if you want, in-person by Chris after the lecture.


Some other events charge a premium price, often in excess of £50 extra per person, for tickets with meet and greet access, and then have a chaperone take the picture on your phone. We have a professional photographer, green-screen technology, mounted photo ready for same-day collection with digital download, all for just £30 per photo, preserving low ticket prices for all!


Due to the limited capacity of this event we can not guarantee entrance to anyone who has not pre-booked their ticket online.


We understand that some guests may not be available the entire day and while our VIP Dinner is technically restricted to the entire day VIP Package, please contact us and we will review availability.


This will be a set menu which will be confirmed about one month before the event date.

We will email you to collect the names of everyone in your booking and dietary requirements.

Dinner does NOT include drinks but is followed by Tea/Coffee.

Private bar will open from about 5pm.


General Admission (12:00-4:00pm)

There is no dress code and we welcome guests to wear their spacesuit costumes or space clothes as they want. Actually, we encourage all children to dress as Astronauts!

VIP Package Dinner (6:00-10:00pm)

Due to the same-day schedule of the dinner we understand guests will be with us all day and therefore not all will be able to change into formal dinner wear. The choice is yours. Some guests will change to formal dinner wear where some will remain as they were for the Lecture event. There is an onsite hotel if you're staying overnight and restrooms for changing if you require but it is not expected on this occasion.


Unfortunately no as our VIP Package is strictly limited to 50 tickets to protect the intimate atmosphere of the VIP experience and we will need to confirm final numbers for dinner several weeks before the event at which point VIP Package ticket sales will end.


Have you been a VIP ticket holder at any TWO of our previous public events listed below?

  • Mike Foale. Milton Keynes, 2017.
  • Charlie Duke. Milton Keynes, 2017.
  • Susan Kilrain. Cranfield, 2025.

Once you attend your 3rd event with us as a VIP ticket holder we have a very special, unique, not for sale anywhere, award for you as a thank you for your dedication and support.

Additional VIP awards and rewards for subsequent VIP events will be announced in the future.


Yes! You can book a single or double occupancy room with or without breakfast at the event venue if required. Details on how to book will be emailed to you when we confirm your tickets. Overnight accommodation is an optional extra and not included.


You will need to contact us and propose what you have in mind. We are always open to press/media access but this will need to be agreed by our Astronaut guest.

We welcome private and corporate sponsorship deals.
We welcome people who may have exhibits they wish to display at the event.

Please contact us with details and we will be happy to review.


Commercial Attendance / Trade Stands

We welcome people and companies from the space sector that wish to have a commercial presence at our events. Commercial availability is extremely limited.

There is no trade stand charge but we do we require all people in your team to hold a valid entrance ticket; either Lecture Ticket to trade 12pm-4pm and/or VIP Dinner Ticket to trade 6pm-10pm. There may be a "table charge"; a minimal fee imposed by the venue, to be confirmed, but otherwise no fee from us. All we ask is that you (i) promote the event with a link via your website and regularly across your social media in the months prior to the event, and (ii) make a donation of minimum 2 items from your trade stand to our charity raffle and future fundraising.


Our Previous Public Events...

Mike Foale

Susan Kilrain

Charlie Duke

Astronaut Mike Foale

Milton Keynes, UK          June 2017

Charlie Duke

Susan Kilrain

Charlie Duke

Astronaut Charlie Duke

Milton Keynes, UK          September 2017

Click here to read some of the reviews and feedback received from guests at this event.

Susan Kilrain

Susan Kilrain

Susan Kilrain

Astronaut Susan Kilrain

Cranfield, UK          May 2025

Click here to read some of the reviews and feedback received from guests at this event.

  • Home
  • Chris Sembroski
  • Store
  • UK Space Attractions
  • Astronaut Visits
  • Gallery
  • Reviews
  • Past Events
  • Contact Us

All Astronaut portrait images are credited to NASA and/or ESA.

Copyright © 2025 The Armchair Astronaut - All Rights Reserved.
The Armchair Astronaut and associated logos are Registered Trademarks.