National Space Centre - Leicester

When you think of the National Space Centre thoughts turn to Cape Canaveral , Kennedy or even Houston perhaps?
However the destination today is somewhere much closer to home! The National Space Centre is located in Leicester of all places.

Opened in 2001 The centre arose from a partnership between the University of Leicester's Space Research Centre and local government agencies. It is run as an educational charity, and offers science workshops for school children of all ages.

I have to admit to not being the biggest sci-fi or space in general fan. But given the opportunity to help facilitate on a trip from Teamwork I was only too happy to attend.

Blue Streak and PGM-17Thor rockets.

The Soyuz 7K OK(A) Spacecraft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The centre has one of just three Soyuz spacecraft in the west. There is another in France and one in the world famous Smithsonian Institution in the US.

Spaceman

The rocket tower is very impressive at 42metres high with a semi-transparent 'pillow' design. As well as being home to two rockets there are also interactive floors on the different levels. One of the floors is decked out like it was in 1969 when the first moon landing took place on the 20th July. For two and a half hours, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin explored the lunar surface on foot while Michael Collins piloted the Apollo 11 orbiter around the Moon.

Typical 1969 decor

There were lots of interactive exhibits to get involved in throughout the six different galleries. They are all good fun but the highlight for me was the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium. ( The largest in the UK). Opened in 2012 by the legendary  astronomer himself  Sir Patrick Moore. It is a cracking 360 degrees cinema experience.The showing today was ‘CAPCOM GO The Apollo Story.  historical documentary that showcases the achievements of the Apollo program and what it took to put the first human on the Moon. It was spectacular indeed, and quite an experience. 

Tim Peake

 British European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Tim Peake visited the centre in 2016. Tim spent six months in space from December 2015 to June 2016 as Britain’s first ESA astronaut. As well asx carrying out a 'space walk' he also ran the London marathon from space. As you would imagine there is  quite an area dedicated to his achievements.

There are numerous spacesuits on display from across the decades of space travel. The one pictured on the left is Matt Damon's EVA Spacesuit from the Ridley Scott Film, 'The Martian'. A film I haven't seen surprisingly enough.
The costumes used in the film were designed to be accurate reflections of the sort of spacesuits that might be used in a near-future Mars mission. 

 There is also an Orlan DMA EVA Spacesuit.Orlan is one of the most successful spacesuit designs ever. First used in 1977, this Russian designed suit has continued to develop over the years.

Orlan is Russian for ‘Sea Eagle’. The first Soviet EVA spacesuit was worn by Alexei Leonov in 1965. Leonov’s Berkut spacesuit (Russian for ‘Golden Eagle’) was designed for short-term use only outside of the spacecraft. 

 It's been an enjoyable day better than I had anticipated. Now there's a slogan for the National Space Centre Marketing people to use ! But 'I'm just about worn out with all the information on Black Holes, parallel universes and wormholes. Not to mention keeping my half a dozen group members all together in the same place at the same time ....

I would definitely recommend it as a place to visit even for those like me who have never seen an episode of Star Trek or Blakes Seven.