Final Countdown: Science Museum’s Exploring Space Gallery to Close After Nearly 40 Years
After nearly four decades, the Science Museum’s Exploring Space gallery will close this summer for preparations for a new space gallery set to open in autumn. That means you have until 2nd June to visit the popular gallery.
“Incredible objects” on display include the Soyuz spacecraft that brought Tim Peake back to Earth, the spacesuit worn by the first Brit ever in space, and a three-billion-year-old piece of the Moon.
After tens of millions of visitors over 40 years were welcomed, the Science Museum has announced the upcoming closure of the Exploring Space gallery. Opened in 1986 and subsequently updated, the gallery showcases real rockets and spacecraft, inviting visitors to learn more about how we ventured out of earth and into orbit, to the moon, and explored the solar system and beyond.
The gallery will undergo a four-month phased closure, partially shutting after 22 April following the Easter holidays, before closing fully in June. A central walkway will be maintained afterwards, allowing access to other areas of the museum.
Until 22 April, visitors can still see the remarkable Soyuz TMA-19M which carried Tim Peake back to Earth after six months in orbit, and the first spacewalk from a British astronaut. This spacecraft descended to Earth, hitting the atmosphere at over 17,000 miles per hour and reaching temperatures of over 1500°C, melting and charring its outer surface.
Many of these iconic objects, including the Apollo 10 Command Module, used for dress rehearsal in May 1969 for the Moon landings, as well as the Soyuz capsule, will be carefully moved through the museum, ready to go back on display in the new Space gallery.
Image: HalleyStarbun
Stay tuned to EyeOnLondon for the latest news and expert opinions.
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
