Hazazah : wishes Artis DE MARTIS, the mascot of Amsterdam's planetarium, safe travels back home to space

Meet Artis de Partis the popular mascot of the Amsterdam Zoo. The zoo's planetarium on the other hand sports its very own VIP-testimonial called Artis de Marsis.

Artis de Marsis came to earth from outer space, at least as far as our inside information tells us. And that is exactly where it longs to go back to as soon as possible. It's about time, according to ESA Astronaut André Kuipers who personally agreed to join Artis on its homeward bound journey.

Both boarded a rocket and made their way to the international space station, 400 kilometres from mother earth. For more details about the journey go to the planetarium's website.

Danielle VAN ARK photographed the emotional farewell and journey back home.