AN out-of-this-world piece of modern history will be landing in Bradford next month.
Soyuz TMA-19M - the Space capsule that brought British astronaut Tim Peake safely back to Earth after his months-long stint on the International Space Station - arrives at the National Science and Media Museum on September 27 for a two-month stay.
It is the first time the capsule has been displayed outside London since the Science Museum Group acquired it.
During its stay in Bradford, the museum will be hosting a number of tie-in events, including offering visitors the chance to experience a virtual reality descent from space - with narration from the astronaut himself.
Mr Peake was the UK’s first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut; his time aboard the Space Station, from December 2015 to June 2016, captured the nation’s imagination.
The capsule, complete with equipped interior and char marks on its outer body from its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, will be displayed along with its 25m diameter parachute until November 19.
Space Descent VR, which will accompany the capsule’s visit to the museum, uses Samsung Gear Virtual Reality headsets to recreate the experience of travelling over the International Space Station and the 250-mile journey back to Earth inside the Soyuz TMA-19M.
The VR imagery has been created by Alchemy VR studio for the Science Museum Group, and is experienced with the latest Samsung Gear VR headsets in a VR lounge inside the museum.
And there will be Space-themed activities for children and adults - the museum’s October half-term activities, which run from October 21-29 October will be dedicated to Tim Peake’s Space mission, featuring experiences such as astronaut-training, taking the helm at Mission Control and launching self-designed rockets.
For adults, the next Lates event, held for over- 18s only after museum closing times, will be held on September 28 with an evening of interactive Space-themed entertainment.
Museum director Jo Quinton-Tulloch said: “The Science Museum Group acquired the Soyuz TMA-19M capsule last year, and we’re the first venue to display it outside the capital.
“It’s hard to express how excited we are to be bringing it to Bradford. The Soyuz capsule represents one of history’s most incredible technological feats, and this is an unmissable opportunity for visitors young and old to see the craft that took Tim Peake all the way to the Space Station and back.”
Mr Peake said: “You do become very attached to your spacecraft because it definitely does save your life. I’m absolutely delighted that my Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA-19M, is going to be returning here to the UK and may serve, hopefully, as inspiration for our next generation of scientists and engineers.”
News that the capsule would be making a visit to Bradford was first announced when the museum was re-branded in March, with an increased focus on science.
More details of the various events will be announced closer to the time.
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