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announces Official Opening VIP The National Space Centre has announced that Dr Jeff Hoffman, the ex NASA astronaut, will be officially opening the Landmark Millennium Project, which is supported by funds from the Millennium Commission, on June 30th. One of NASA’s most travelled astronauts, Dr Hoffman has been involved
in five Space Shuttle Flights between the years of 1978 and 1997. In these
five space flights, Dr Hoffman has logged more that 1200 hours in space
and has travelled more than 21.5 miles.
Jo Higgins, Marketing Manager of the National Space Centre said “Its great that Dr Hoffman will be opening the Space Centre, not only because of his remarkable achievements but because the city of Leicester really means something to him.” The day will essentially be a normal operating day, with the official opening at 9.30am. Jeff Hoffmann will be joined at the opening by Heather Couper, astronomer and Millennium Commissioner, and a local prize winner who has won honorary life-long membership of the Space Centre as well as the opportunity to pull the doors open on the attraction’s opening day. The National Space Centre was co-founded by The University of Leicester and Leicester
National Space Centre: Gallery by Gallery, a Summary The National Space Centre aims to be a visitor attraction which provides a fun and entertaining day out, where the visitor is reassured that all the information is as accurate and current as it can be. News is first-hand, and the excitement is first class! No two visits will ever be the same. The Space Centre is composed of several elements: the Galleries, the Space Theatre, the Challenger Learning Centre and a Research Centre with a Satellite Control Centre. A summary of the galleries’ content is provided below: The Visitor Experience The Visitor Experience is designed around a flexible “hub and spoke” arrangement, to facilitate visitor flows and to allow effective use of timed ticketing for the Space Theatre. As the visitor enters the Experience they walk into The Hub. Lined with giant images taken from space, this is where the visitor will be able to sit down, meet friends and family, or just take a “time out” to reflect on and absorb the Space theme. The primary role of the Hub is to orientate the visitor. It is here that they can find out more about the visitor centre and today’s special events. Five themed portals mark the entrances from the Hub into five very different experiences. Into Space
Into Space covers the fascinating questions about space travel, going from launch into orbit, investigating life in Space and looking to the future. It deals with the teamwork, hardware and technology behind getting into space. Of all the areas, this one probably has the most “hands-on” interactives: visitors can launch model rockets, build satellites and see if they “have got what it takes” to be an astronaut. They will also get an idea of the size of the International Space Station by walking through a full-scale model of Europe’s Columbus module, and be able to compare that with a full scale Mercury capsule – someone once said “you don’t get in it, you put it on”! Into Space is continued in the 42-metre Rocket Tower which houses some of our largest rockets and satellites. As well as finding out more about how rockets work and survive the conditions in space, in the tower the visitor can marvel at these examples of space technology, or simply look at a marvelous view of the city! Exploring the Universe Exploring the Universe is very different to Into Space. While the latter is bright and hi-tech, Exploring the Universe uses technology in a more mysterious and hidden way to bring to life the wonders and mind-blowing aspects of our universe. “Where did we come from?” “How did the Universe begin?” “Is there anybody out there”. From black holes to backyard astronomy, this area will work on two levels – one for those who want to ask questions, and one for those who just want to look. Exploring the Universe is very image intensive and has a large number of physical interactives. It also contains a stellarium – a magical 3-dimensional “scoop” of the universe showing stars’ locations, magnitudes and colours. The Planets The Planets has fun with the planets – not just the facts, but also
the myths, the magic and the fiction. Mars might be a rusty red rocky planet,
but in many minds it is home to the Martians and the Tripods or even be
the planet they hope to go and live on one day. We used to believe that
the Moon was made of green cheese, but now we have sent dozens of probes
to find out about its origin and composition, and have even walked on its
surface! The culture and history surrounding each planet is very rich –
from early woodcuts to modern-day music and films – and this is intermingled
with more scientific artefacts such as moon rock, meteorites and models
of satellites. National Curriculum topics, such as reasons for seasons,
tides and eclipses, are explained by physical interactives. While most
space galleries display a static line of planets with the facts, the National
Space Centre is attempting to break the mould on how this science is presented,
and appeal to a much wider audience.
Orbiting Earth Orbiting Earth explores the way that we look at our dynamic and beautiful planet. We use space on a daily basis: weather forecasting, communications, television, navigation, tracking and mapping. A multitude of scientific experiments are all done from space using satellite technology. These satellites produce beautiful, colourful and intricate images, that can be appreciated both scientifically and aesthetically. The challenge of Orbiting Earth is to explain how we sense the Earth in an inviting, interactive way, without losing the sense of awe that our planet can inspire, or intimidating those who are unused to technology. Space Now Space Now is the most high-tech area of the centre, and as the only permanently staffed area, it also provides the centre’s human face. Designed to be as flexible as possible, this newsdesk will provide information and comment on space-related news as it happens. Space Now will work to show that there is continuous activity in space and space research. From a major launch to the periodic whispers from remote probes, Space Now will seek to enthuse and inform the public. With live demonstrations, web terminals and discovery boxes of information, this area offers visitors and opportunity to choose which topic to explore. Space Now has windows to the Space Science Research Unit where visitors are able to see real research and instrument construction as it happens. From time to time visitors are able to take part in floor-shows and workshops or see an exhibition on space art, space toys or particle physics in the Airlock, the Space Centre’s temporary exhibition area – the range is as flexible as the space is. The Airlock is also be available for corporate events. Information and tickets hotline 0870
60 77223 (0870 60 SPACE) .
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