posted 07-27-2026 10:19 AM            

I'm not privy to ticket sales, but from what I've heard, they have been selling out fast. Might have something to do with a closed event Doug Hurley did in the UK a year or so ago with no interaction, photo or autograph opportunities, and a ticket price of £1000 a pop!

The forthcoming event represents much better value for money in my opinion.

posted 09-02-2026 02:30 AM               

I was fortunate enough to personally witness the launch of STS-135, and to get the opportunity to meet the Pilot of Atlantis is an amazing thing. Doug Hurley is a very rare visitor to these shores, so anyone who is tempted should grab a ticket before it's too late.

posted 09-09-2026 06:52 AM            

I don't know how the lecture tickets are selling, but few VIP all day tickets remain.

Get yours while you still can.

posted 09-09-2026 01:50 PM               

I thought it was probably time I popped in and gave a little update from the organiser's side.

Doug Hurley really is making a rare appearance in the UK on 7th November and I'm incredibly pleased that we've been able to put this event together. Our 3rd Space Social of the year!

The intention with The Armchair Astronaut has always been to make astronaut encounters inclusive and accessible to the wider public. That's why the £49 General Admission ticket includes Doug's presentation, audience Q&A, a brief one-to-one interaction and an autograph.

The VIP experience then takes it considerably further, with the full daytime event, priority seating, dinner, an additional after-dinner talk and Q&A, memorabilia auction and additional autograph.

We're now nine weeks away and the VIP experience is getting close to capacity. Only 9 tickets remaining.

I'm also particularly pleased to see people travelling significant distances for this one. We've already had someone book from the US and make plans to fly over specifically for the event, which really brings home just how rarely Doug appears in this sort of public setting.

If anyone here has questions about the event, the format or what we're trying to achieve with these Space Socials, please feel free to ask. I'm very happy to answer them directly.

posted 09-14-2026 12:59 PM            

In keeping with Space Lectures back in the day, I thought it fun to invite collectSPACE members to provide their own designs for the official backdrop. Given Doug's career there are plenty of spectacular images to form the basis of an excellent backdrop.

Doug's mission patches must feature and consideration should be given to the composition, allowing room for Doug and guests in the image.

The winning backdrop will be chosen by Doug and the winner will receive their own complimentary signed Doug Hurley portrait. Even better, if the winning designer is present on the day, I will make a point of photographing Doug presenting their signed prize.

To get the ball rolling, here are a couple of my own mock ups replete with "Crash Test Dummies": more for inspiration than actual consideration. In the unlikely event Doug chooses my backdrop, the runner up will get the finished signed portrait.