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Blast Off!

See space through the eyes of an astronaut.

As British rocket Black Knight towers two storeys above you, step into a Gemini space suit to find out how astronauts survive on a space walk. See a real NASA Gemini space capsule up close and get ready to see how high you can fire our model hydrogen rocket.

Black Knight rocket

This British government research rocket was designed to reach speeds of over 10,000 miles per hour. The first of these rockets was launched from the Australian desert in 1958. It stands nearly 11m high and stretches up for three floors. It's so big it had to be lifted into the Museum by crane.

Gemini space capsule

This NASA space capsule was built in the 1960s. It was designed to land in the desert instead of the ocean.

The Gemini programme provided NASA with valuable information which was used later to plan the Apollo Moon missions. Gemini helped NASA see how astronauts were affected by long periods of time, up to two weeks, in space.

Gemini space suit

How would you have survived on a Gemini space walk?

• Communicating – You would have a two-way radio inside your helmet so that you can talk to ground control or other astronauts in the space capsule.
• Breathing – There is no air in space. You would get the air you need from the spacecraft via an umbilical cord or from a backpack life support system.
• Protecting your body – Your space suit would be made from thick layers of fabric to protect you from very hot and very cold temperatures. It would have a shiny surface that reflects sunlight.
• Seeing – Your helmet would have a visor like a giant pair of sunglasses. This would protect your eyes from the bright sunlight.

Rocket power

In this exhibit, you can use your own energy to make rocket fuel.

When you turn the handle, your own energy is used to generate electricity. The electricity is used to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. The hydrogen generated is the fuel for the rocket.

You fire the rocket by pressing the ignition button - you will see it shoot up towards the ceiling!