The London Science Museum has opened its new "Space" gallery, once again featuring the historic Apollo 10 command module. This spacecraft, which flew to the Moon in 1969, is the only Apollo command module on display outside of the United States and has been a long-term loan from the Smithsonian since 1978.
The redesigned exhibition space places historic artifacts alongside modern technology, offering visitors a comprehensive look at human space exploration from the Space Race to the current era of innovation in the UK's space sector.
Key Takeaways
- The Science Museum in London has launched a new permanent exhibition named "Space," replacing the former "Exploring Space" gallery.
- The Apollo 10 command module, which orbited the Moon, has returned to public display as a central piece of the collection.
- For the first time, visitors can see an American Apollo capsule and a Russian Soyuz descent module displayed together.
- The gallery also showcases modern UK space technology, a 3-billion-year-old Moon rock, and artifacts from British astronauts.
A Renewed Vision for Space Exploration
The new "Space" gallery replaces the beloved "Exploring Space" exhibit, which had been open to the public for nearly four decades. The updated space provides a modern context for humanity's journey beyond Earth, connecting the past with the future of spaceflight.
Museum officials stated the goal was to create an inspiring experience for a new generation. The gallery aims to showcase the engineering, personal stories, and scientific discoveries that define space exploration.
"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," said Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group.
Historic Spacecraft Side-by-Side
A major highlight of the gallery is the unique pairing of two iconic crewed spacecraft. The Apollo 10 command module, nicknamed "Charlie Brown," is presented next to the Soyuz TMA-19M descent module.
A Tale of Two Capsules
The Apollo 10 mission in May 1969 was a full dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing, flying to the Moon and testing all procedures short of landing. The Soyuz TMA-19M brought British ESA astronaut Tim Peake back to Earth in 2016 after his 186-day mission on the International Space Station.
This display is significant as it is the only place in the world where the public can compare an Apollo spacecraft, which returned astronauts from the Moon, with a modern Soyuz capsule, the workhorse of human spaceflight for returning crews from low Earth orbit.
From Moon Dust to Modern Tech
Beyond the primary spacecraft, the gallery is rich with a diverse collection of artifacts that span the history of space travel and look toward its future.
Lunar Treasures and British Pioneers
Visitors can view a genuine piece of the Moon. A three-billion-year-old lunar rock, collected during the Apollo 15 mission, is on display, on loan from NASA. This provides a tangible connection to another world.
The gallery also celebrates Britain's role in space. The Sokol pressure suit worn by Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, during her 1991 mission to the Mir space station is a key exhibit. Another notable item is the radio headset used by Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong to communicate with Mission Control during the first Moon landing.
Did You Know?
The Soyuz spacecraft design has been in continuous service since 1967, making it the longest-serving crewed spacecraft in history. It has undergone numerous upgrades but retains its fundamental design.
The Future of UK Space Innovation
The "Space" gallery is not just about history. It also serves as a showcase for the United Kingdom's growing space industry. Several cutting-edge technologies are on public display for the first time.
These innovations include:
- Magdrive: A prototype for a new generation of electric propulsion for spacecraft.
- Space Forge's Pridwen: A heat shield designed to protect materials manufactured in orbit during their return to Earth.
- Spire's LEMUR-2: A type of nanosatellite used to provide weather data and track global shipping.
Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, highlighted the importance of these displays. He noted that they demonstrate the high-tech innovations the UK is investing in for future exploration and in-space manufacturing.
"It's fantastic to see so much British hardware here being exhibited in the Science Museum that [the public will] get the opportunity to enjoy and see what is possible in the UK space sector," Archer stated.
An Immersive Visitor Experience
To enhance the visitor experience, the gallery features a massive, wall-length mural of a scene from the Apollo 17 mission. The photograph, showing astronaut Harrison Schmitt on the lunar surface, was specially processed for the book "Apollo Remastered" by Andy Saunders and is believed to be one of the largest high-resolution photographs of the Moon on Earth.
Other technical artifacts include an example of an RL-10 rocket engine, which has been instrumental in missions to every planet in our solar system, and a full-size testing model of BepiColombo, the joint European-Japanese mission currently en route to Mercury.
The "Space" gallery is located on the ground floor of the Science Museum and is free for all visitors, though booking a free ticket in advance is recommended. To complement the exhibition, the museum is running a family-friendly "Space Show" and select "Astronights" sleepovers. The nearby IMAX theatre is also screening space-themed films, including "Apollo 13" and "2001: A Space Odyssey."
