National Space Centre facts for kids
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National Space Centre, Leicester
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| Former name | National Space Science Centre |
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| Established | 30 June 2001 |
| Location | Belgrave, Leicester LE4 5NS |
| Type | Space (and aerospace) museum |
| Visitors | 330,000 (2016) |
| Architect | Nicholas Grimshaw |
| Public transit access | First Bus 54 |
The National Space Centre is a super cool museum in Belgrave, Leicester, England. It's all about space science and astronomy, which is the study of stars and planets! The centre also works with the University of Leicester on space research. You can't miss its tall tower, which holds real rockets! This tower is a famous landmark in Leicester. The National Space Centre is also a charity, which means it's run for public benefit.
Contents
History of the Space Centre
The idea for a space centre started way back in the 1980s. Professor Alan Wells and Professor Ken Pounds from the University of Leicester first thought of it. They wanted a place for space research that the public could also visit. But they couldn't find enough money back then.
In 1995, the idea came back, but this time as a museum. Professor Alan Wells, Professor Alan Ponter, and Nigel Siesage from the university pushed for it.
Funding the Project
A lot of money was needed to build the centre. The Millennium Commission gave half of the £52 million needed. Other big partners like Leicester City Council, the University of Leicester, and BT also helped. Many companies like Walkers and the Met Office also sponsored exhibits.
Challenger Learning Centre
The first part of the project was the Challenger Learning Centre. It opened at Leicester University in December 1999. A year later, it moved to the National Space Centre site. This was the first centre like it outside North America. It had two parts: one looked like the inside of a spacecraft, and the other was mission control.
Name Change
The centre was first going to be called the National Space Science Centre. But in December 2000, they dropped "Science" from the name. This was for marketing reasons, so people wouldn't confuse it with the British National Space Centre.
Grand Opening Day
The National Space Centre officially opened on 30 June 2001. Former NASA astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman did the honours. In its first five months, 165,000 people visited! That was much more than they expected. The Good Britain Guide even named it "Museum of the Year" in 2002. When it opened, over 60 scientists worked there on space projects.
Tranquillity Base Exhibit
In July 2005, a new area called Tranquillity Base opened. It was a human spaceflight gallery set in the year 2025. Visitors could do interactive tasks and even go on a space ride.
Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium
On 26 January 2012, famous astronomer Sir Patrick Moore visited the centre. The planetarium was renamed in his honour. He also launched a new show called Tour of the Night Sky.
Astronaut Visits to the Centre
Many real astronauts have visited the National Space Centre over the years!
- Michael Foale: On 19 October 2004, NASA astronaut Michael Foale launched the new glass lifts in the Rocket Tower.
- Bernard Harris: Bernard Harris, the first African American to walk in space, visited in March 2005.
- Buzz Aldrin: In June 2005, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin came to the centre. He was the second person to walk on the Moon! He talked to children and explored the Lunar Base exhibit.
- Chris Hadfield: Commander Chris Hadfield visited on 13 December 2013. He met visitors and promoted his book.
- Walter Cunningham: Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham visited on 24 September 2015.
- Tim Peake: After his mission on the International Space Station, Tim Peake visited on 14 October 2016. He talked to school children and received an honorary degree. He had also linked live from space to the centre twice during his mission!
Royal Visit by the Queen
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the National Space Centre on 1 August 2002. This was part of her Golden Jubilee tour around the country.
Olympic Torch Relay
On 3 July 2012, the Olympic Torch Relay came to Leicester. At the National Space Centre, the torch was carried over the Rocket Tower! Stuntman Nick Macomber, also known as “Jet Pack Man,” flew it across.
Beagle 2 Mission Control
The National Space Centre was home to mission control for the Beagle 2 mission to Mars. This was the first time a NASA or ESA mission was run where the public could watch! The University of Leicester team, based at the centre, helped develop Beagle 2's robotic arm.
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Building the Space Centre
Nicholas Grimshaw, who also designed the Eden Project, won a competition to design the National Space Centre in 1996. The main rocket tower is 42 meters (138 feet) tall. It's special because it's the only place that houses upright space rockets indoors!
Centre Design and Materials
The main building is very large, covering 7,360 square meters (79,222 sq ft). It was built on top of an old storm water tank, which saved money. The rocket tower is covered in inflated "pillows" made of ETFE. This material is super light, weighing only 1% of the same amount of glass! The building's roof has gravel in three colours to look like a crab nebula. Construction started in March 1999.
Explore the Galleries
The National Space Centre has six main galleries, a welcome hall, a planetarium, and a spaceflight simulator. There's also a café and rooms for talks and teaching.
Welcome Hall
When you enter, you'll see a real Soyuz spacecraft! You can also see spacesuits, including Tim Peake's, and even Buzz Aldrin's underwear! There's also a spacesuit from The Martian movie.
Into Space Gallery
This gallery is all about space travel. It has a model of the Columbus module from the International Space Station. You can even see a space toilet!
The Universe Gallery
Learn how the universe formed in this gallery. You'll also discover how humans study space and search for alien life.
Our Solar System Gallery
This gallery focuses on the planets in our Solar System. It includes the TinyTarium, a special planetarium for younger visitors.
Home Planet Gallery
This gallery is all about Earth. It shows how we observe our planet and how human actions are changing it.
Space Oddities Gallery
Here, you can see unique and interesting items from the centre's collection. The exhibits change regularly, showing off lesser-known objects with cool stories.
Rocket Tower Experience
The Rocket Tower tells stories from the space race. It holds two upright rockets: a PGM-17 Thor Able and a Blue Streak. You can also see a real piece of Moon rock here!
LIVE Space Area
This is a special area for talks, live video calls with experts, and science demonstrations. You can get the latest news from space here!
Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium
This planetarium has a huge dome screen. It shows amazing immersive shows, many made by NSC Creative, a team based at the centre. It has 192 seats and spaces for wheelchairs.
Tetrastar Spaceport
Opened in 2022, this is a simulated trip into low Earth orbit. It feels like you're really on a spacecraft!
Cool Exhibits to See
You can view some of the National Space Centre's collection online at the National Space Centre Collections Online.
Real Moon Rock
A real piece of Moon rock is on display! It was collected by Gene Cernan in December 1972 during Apollo 17. This was the last time humans walked on the Moon. The rock weighs 120 grams (about 4 ounces) and is kept safe in a special container.
Sputnik Model
See a model of Sputnik, the first satellite in space. Its creator, Sergei Korolev, made sure it was perfect. He even said, "This will be exhibited in museums!"
Space Toilet Display
There's a model of a Russian space toilet! It looks and feels just like the ones used on the Mir space station. This one is for demonstration, so it doesn't actually process waste.
Martian Spacesuit
Check out an EVA Spacesuit used in the 2015 film The Martian. Matt Damon and stunt performers wore it. The designers worked with NASA to make sure it looked like a real future Mars spacesuit.
Education and Learning
The National Space Centre offers many programs to help students learn about science. They also support parents and teachers.
e-Missions for Students
In 2004, the centre launched e-Missions™ with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. In one mission, students have to save a crewed mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. Another mission, Operation Montserrat, has students act as a military team evacuating people from a hurricane and volcano threat.
National Space Academy
In 2008, the National Space Centre, University of Leicester, and Nottingham University created the Space Academy. This academy works with NASA's Aerospace Educator Service Project. In 2010, they even gave a presentation at a big conference for space educators in the US.
The National Space Academy officially launched in February 2011. It was set up to encourage excellence in science and technology. They train teachers, offer learning materials, host career events, and develop apprenticeship courses.
As of 2022, they have a Space Engineering course. Students can get A-levels in physics and maths, plus a BTEC Extended Diploma in engineering. This course is taught at Loughborough College and the National Space Centre. The Space Academy also has online resources like videos for home learning.
Special Facilities
Digital Visualisation Team
The centre has its own team called NSC Creative. They make all the amazing "fulldome" planetarium shows you see at the centre. By 2011, their shows were playing in over 220 planetariums in 27 countries!
Near Earth Objects Information Centre
In 2002, the Near Earth Objects (NEO) Information Centre opened at the National Space Centre. It gave information to the public and scientists about NEOs. These are objects like asteroids that come close to Earth. The centre explained the science behind them and any potential danger. This centre closed in 2010.
Exciting Events
- Buzz Aldrin Visit: Apollo program astronaut Buzz Aldrin visited in June 2005.
- Star Wars Weekend: The first Star Wars Day was held in July 2005. It was so popular that a Star Wars weekend is now held every year!
- Doctor Who Celebration: The centre celebrated 50 years of Doctor Who in November 2013.
- Sci-Fi Weekend: In June 2006, a Sci-Fi Weekend included a live-action experience.
- NASA Astronaut Visit: On 19 July 2006, NASA astronaut Brian Duffy visited and shared stories about his space trips.
- STS-121 Crew Tour: The centre hosted a UK tour by the NASA STS-121 crew, including UK-born astronaut Piers Sellers. They talked to students and leaders about the UK Space Industry. Many students said this inspired them to study science and technology.
In 2007, the National Space Centre celebrated "50 Years in Space." This marked the anniversary of Sputnik, the first satellite. In 2013, parts of the Indian film Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 were filmed at the Space Centre.
How the Centre is Run
The National Space Centre is a charity. It was registered on 10 January 2000 and has 17 Trustees who help run it. The centre does not get daily money from the government. It makes money mainly from ticket sales, its café, gift shop, and by renting out spaces for events.
