Science Museum in London to Relocate Iconic Space Artifacts

The Science Museum in London has announced the temporary closure of its beloved “Exploring Space” gallery, impacting many artifacts tied to the history of human spaceflight. This historic gallery, which has educated millions about Earth’s ventures into orbit and the cosmos for nearly 40 years, will begin a phased shutdown on April 22, 2025, to prepare for the opening of the new “Space” gallery later this year. The relocation entails a variety of exhibits, including the spacesuit worn by Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, and the Apollo 10 command module, marking a significant shift in the museum’s offering.

Closure of the “Exploring Space” Gallery

• The “Exploring Space” gallery will close on April 22, 2025, after nearly four decades of showcasing artifacts related to space exploration.
• New additions will debut in the forthcoming “Space” gallery later this year.

Significant Artifacts on the Move

The gallery closing marks the relocation of numerous key exhibits:

• Helen Sharman’s Sokol spacesuit, used during her mission to the Mir space station in 1991, is undergoing conservation.
• The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft, which brought U.K. astronaut Tim Peake back from the ISS in 2016, is also relocating.
• The Apollo 10 command module, named “Charlie Brown,” which rehearsed the lunar landing in 1969, will join the new gallery.

Libby Jackson, the newly appointed head of space at the Science Museum, expressed excitement about the gallery’s legacy and future: “Space ignites an interest in science and technology in many people, including me. The Science Museum’s space gallery has been a touchstone through my life.”

What Visitors Can Expect Before the Closure

From now until the closure date, visitors can still enjoy selected exhibits:

• Space food and a microgravity toilet.
• Full-size replicas of the Apollo 11 lunar module “Eagle” and the Beagle 2 Mars lander.

The gallery’s highlights also include:

• Examples of pioneering rocket engines.
• Spacecraft models that revolutionized satellite technology.

Exciting Future Gallery Plans

The new “Space” gallery aims to showcase various space missions and technologies:

• An exhibit will feature a full-scale BepiColombo testing model, set to arrive at Mercury next year.
• Additional additions will include innovative propulsion systems, a prototype heat shield, and a nano-satellite for climate research.

The Science Museum Group plans to enhance its space collection significantly over the next five years to better represent international space exploration.

The upcoming “Space” gallery will offer a unique opportunity to see U.S. and Russian crewed spacecraft side by side and will feature rare artifacts essential to space history.

As the Science Museum embarks on this new chapter, it continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers through its innovative exhibitions.

Keywords: Science Museum, London, Exploring Space gallery, Apollo 10 command module, Helen Sharman, Tim Peake, space artifacts, space exploration.

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