Capsule Soyuz TMA-19M, which was used by Tim for his Principia Mission, was acquired for the nation by the Science Museum Group in 2016. The group, which includes Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry, has joined forces with global technology innovators Samsung to create The National Tour of Tim Peake’s Spacecraft and a unique virtual reality adventure ‘Space Descent VR’.
Space Descent VR, which arrived Manchester on the 26th September, uses Samsung Gear VR technology to place you at the heart of Tim Peake’s journey from the International Space Station back to Earth.
The Soyuz spacecraft will land in Manchester on the 10th March 2018, where it will remain until 13th May 2018 before continuing on its national tour. Tim Peake’s spacecraft (complete with its 25-foot parachute) is free to visit at all venues, and visitors aged 13 and over can try the Samsung VR experience for £5/£6.
Tim Peake said:
“It is wonderful to be in Bradford for the start of another incredible journey for this spacecraft, which took me on a life-changing journey and delivered me safely back to Earth. I’m particularly happy that people up and down the UK now have the opportunity to discover more about my Principia mission and space travel, and that the Science Museum Group – with the support of Samsung – are doing so much to inspire the public and schools in this tour. I’d also urge anyone who wishes to see the capsule land near them to contact their local venues to apply to be the sixth destination.”
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Museum of Science and Industry, said:
“The Soyuz is an iconic item, and I am very excited that the Museum of Science and Industry is part of this incredible tour. We know our visitors have followed Tim Peake’s adventures closely, and this will be a fantastic opportunity of them to see first-hand the capsule that was part of his important mission. Manchester is the home of industry and innovation, and what could be a greater symbol of that than this important piece of the history of space travel?”
