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!