posted 10-11-2025 08:56 AM               

Unveiling of new tiles on Walk of Space

Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard, Noordwijk

The Walk of Space in Noordwijk has been expanded with two new tiles honoring German astronauts Ulf Merbold and Thomas Reiter.

On the Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard, you can literally walk in the footsteps of space pioneers. The Walk of Space features hand- and footprints of astronauts who shaped human spaceflight, with each tile marking a personal story of exploration and discovery.

This year, tiles 19 and 20 were officially unveiled on Oct. 10, adding to the growing tribute that already includes 18 astronauts. It's a unique opportunity to celebrate Europe's contribution to space, right at the Dutch coast.

The hand or footprints of the astronauts earlier added:

• Wubbo Ockels
  
• André Kuipers
  
• Lodewijk van den Berg
  
• Ed Mitchell
  
• Frank de Winne
  
• Paolo Nespoli
  
• Alexander Gerst
  
• Claudie Haigneré
  
• Dirk Frimout
  
• Oleg Kononenko
  
• Samantha Cristoforetti
  
• Rusty Schweickart
  
• Walt Cunningham
  
• Matthias Maurer
  
• Pedro Duque
  
• Julie Payette
  
• Richard Hieb
  
• Reinhold Ewald