I come bearing some news that is, quite literally, out of this world. Today (September 20) marks the opening of the shiny new Space gallery at London’s legendary Science Museum – and we’re feeling pretty darn excited about it.
The new (and completely free-to-visit) gallery will give visitors the chance to discover some fascinating stories about space exploration, and get up close and personal with new technologies and incredible space objects – some of which are on display for the very first time.
Inside the new Space gallery at the Science Museum
Visitors can prepare to be spoilt for choice when it comes to the captivating things to see and learn inside the Space gallery. From fascinating objects to spell-binding stories; there will be something to be enthralled by at every turn. New cutting-edge technologies from the UK’s space sector will be on display for the first time ever, alongside an abundance of iconic objects.
Space-lovers will be able to gawp at the legendary likes of the radio headset used by Neil Armstrong to communicate with Mission Control, the newly-conserved spacesuit worn but the first British astronaut, Helen Sharmanand a three billion-year-old piece of the actual Moon (yes, really).
The Space gallery will also be displaying the Soyuz descent module (the spacecraft that carried Tim Peake) and the Apollo 10 command module (the spacecraft that orbited the Moon in 1969) side-by-side for the first time ever. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to see first-hand the differences between the two incredible spacecrafts, that have never before been displayed alongside each other.
The gallery will also feature an impressive moonscapetaken from a photo that was captured by the Apollo 17 crew, and recently digitally remastered. The moonscape will span across twenty metres of the gallery wallgiving visitors the chance to imagine themselves on the Moon’s surface. Because you know what they always say? Reach for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll land… at the Science Museum.
To mark the opening of the incredible new gallerythere’ll be a whole host of free space-related activities to get stuck in to this weekend. Visitors will be able to learn about Imperial College London’s cutting-edge space researchcreate a personalised Martian space-suit, or take part in a science demo or live demonstration. To infinity the Science Museum and beyond…
Sir Ian BlatchfordDirector and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Groupsaid: “As a species, we’ve always looked to the stars. I have no doubt that the wonders of space we showcase in our new gallery will inspire and thrill a new generation of visitors. Whether you’re fascinated by the engineering behind space exploration, inspired by stories of space pioneers, or simply curious about the planets, Space invites you to delve into humanity’s greatest adventure.”
The Science Museum is open daily from 10am-6pm (last entry at 5.15pm). You’ll find it on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD.
