The Armchair Astronaut
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    • UK Space Attractions
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  • Doug Hurley
  • Store
  • Astronaut Visits
  • Reviews & Interviews
  • UK Space Attractions

Autumn Space Social

Saturday 7th November 2026

Cranfield University Campus

Bedfordshire, UK

There are very few opportunities in the UK to spend meaningful time with a real NASA astronaut in an intimate, community environment.

Our Space Socials are designed not as a theatre show, but as a genuine community experience where space enthusiasts, families, students and professionals can come together to hear first-hand experiences, live and in-person, from an astronaut.

Experience an Inspiring Journey to Space...

Step inside the world of human spaceflight with veteran NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley, the last astronaut to Pilot the Space Shuttle, and Commander of the historic SpaceX Demo-2 first crewed Dragon mission.


This is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand what it’s really like to pilot the Space Shuttle, command a spacecraft and help usher in a new era of human spaceflight. From the final Space Shuttle mission to the return of crewed launches aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon, Doug will share the stories behind some of the most significant moments in modern space exploration.

You'll also have the opportunity to ask your own questions during our live audience Q&A, making this a genuinely interactive and memorable experience.


Our Space Social events bring together people who share a fascination with space; from curious beginners and families to students, educators and industry professionals. Whether you come on your own or with friends or family, you'll be part of a welcoming and passionate community. If you've ever wondered what it takes to pilot a spacecraft, command a mission and witness history from the cockpit, this is your opportunity to hear the story from someone who lived it.

Ticket Options

General Admission

12pm-4pm, Saturday 7th November 2026.

Vincent Building, Central Avenue, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0JR. 


Price: £49.00

Perfect for families, space enthusiasts and anyone who has ever wondered what it is really like to live and work in space.


12:00pm

  •  Access to our exhibitor area featuring space memorabilia, meteorites, space art, STEM organisations and more.

1:00pm

  • Opportunity to purchase an optional professional Meet & Greet Photo with Doug Hurley, including mounted print (signed) and digital download. 

2:00pm

  • Live Astronaut Talk with Douglas Hurley.
  • Interactive Audience Q&A where you can ask your own questions.
  • In-Person Meet & Greet Autograph. Every guest receives one autograph and the opportunity for a brief one-to-one interaction with Douglas as their item is signed.

4:00pm

  • Event Closes


Everyone gets one free autograph!

Suitable for all ages.

VIP Experience

12pm-10pm, Saturday 7th November 2026.

Mitchell Hall, College Road, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0AL. 


Price: £149.00

The complete Douglas Hurley experience!

Enjoy every part of the event from start to finish with our most comprehensive ticket package, combining the daytime event and exclusive evening dinner. VIP guests receive priority seating in the front section during Doug's live talk, ensuring the best views and closest access throughout the main event.


12:00pm

  •  All the benefits of General Admission with priority front center seating during the live talk and audience Q&A.

6:00pm

  • 3 course dinner followed by Tea/Coffee
  • Live after-dinner talk
  • Live audience Q&A
  • VIP Award presentation for veteran VIP attendees
  • Fundraising space/astronaut memorabilia auction.
  • TWO additional meet & greet autographs.

10:00pm

  • Event Closes


Please note the daytime and evening events take place in two different buildings, an approximate 4 minute walk apart.

Confirmed Exhibitors

Location, Date & Times:

General Admission (12pm-4pm)

Vincent Building, Central Avenue, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0JR.


VIP Experience Dinner (6pm-10pm)

Mitchell Hall, College Road, Wharley End, 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 

Vincent Building (Building 52a), Wharley End, Bedford, UK

Saturday 7th November 2026

  • Please note the daytime and evening events take place in two different buildings, an approximate 4 minute walk apart.

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.

Reaching For The Stars...

Reaching For The Stars...

Each year, we give over 50 primary school children 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. 

Reaching For The Stars...

Alongside them, we deliver a tour of the exhibits and 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. 


Our Space Socials 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.

Our Previous Missions...

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

Astronaut Susan Kilrain

Cranfield, UK          May 2025

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

Chris Sembroski

Cranfield, UK          March 2026

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

Daniel Tani

Daniel Tani

Cranfield, UK          July 2026

Click here here for full details

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Please visit our dedicated Booking Terms & Conditions page for full details.


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 Experience ticket will entitle you to two additional autographs signed after the dinner.

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.


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 after the lecture. No substitutions.


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.


Please visit our booking Terms & Conditions for further details.


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 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.


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 4pm.


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 Experience 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.
  • Chris Sembroski. Cranfield, 2026.
  • Daniel Tani. Cranfield, 2026.

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.


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.


Exhibitors play a vital role in enhancing The Armchair Astronaut events by diversifying the experiences, expertise, and opportunities available to our members and attendees.  Through their participation, exhibitors help create a richer, more  engaging environment that supports learning, discovery, and meaningful interaction within the space and science community. 


By providing exhibitors with a platform to showcase their work, products, and services, our events enable them to engage directly with their existing audience while also reaching new and diverse attendees.  This exchange benefits both parties: members gain access to a broader range of perspectives, innovations, and specialist knowledge, while  exhibitors are given the opportunity to build relationships, raise  awareness, and grow their presence within the community.


This Agreement sets out the terms under which exhibitors may participate, ensuring a professional, collaborative, and mutually beneficial experience that aligns with the values, objectives, and operational requirements of The Armchair Astronaut.


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

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