Astronaut Tim Peake’s spacecraft to go on display at the National Museum of Scotland

Astronaut Tim Peake’s Spacecraft to go on Display at the National Museum of Scotland

# SoyuzTour

The Soyuz spacecraft used by Tim Peake as part of the Principia Mission to the International Space Station will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland from May–August 2018.

European Space Agency Astronaut, Tim Peake returned to Earth in the 1.5-tonne Soyuz TMA-19M descent module on 18 June 2016 after six months orbiting the globe on the International Space Station, conducting experiments, walking in space and even running a marathon.

The Science Museum Group acquired the module in December 2016 and it has recently been displayed in the Science Museum in London. The spacecraft is now going on a UK tour, supported by Samsung, and the National Museum of Scotland is the only Scottish venue.

Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:

“We are delighted to be able to give our visitors the rare opportunity to see this spacecraft up close. The subject of space travel carries a universal and enduring fascination, and to have the chance to view an object which has transported astronauts safely back to Earth from space – enduring temperatures of around 1,500 degrees Celsius as it passed through the atmosphere - is truly awe-inspiring.”

Tim Peake said:

“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.”

The Soyuz TMA-19M is the first flown, manned spacecraft in the UK’s national space technology collection. Its display in Hawthornden Court at the National Museum offers visitors the unmissable chance to see it up close.

The spacecraft will be displayed alongside Space Descent VR with Tim Peake, a unique, virtual reality adventure using Samsung Gear VR technology which places visitors right at the heart of Tim Peake’s journey from the International Space Station back to Earth.

Launching during the UK-Russia Year of Science and Education, The National Tour of Tim Peake’s Spacecraft celebrates the truly global effort behind modern space exploration. Manufactured by RSC Energia for ROSCOSMOS the Russian Space Agency, the Soyuz tells the story of the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut’s journey to the International Space Station.

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford is the first stop on the tour, with the Soyuz going on display from Wednesday 27 September – Sunday 19 November, before landing in Shildon, York, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Further information and images from: Susan Gray or Bruce Blacklaw, National Museums Scotland Press Office on 0131 247 4088 or s.gray@nms.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
   • Twitter: @NtlMuseumsScot
   • Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland
   • Instagram: @NationalMuseumsScotland
2. The National Museum of Scotland is the most popular museum in the country outside of London (source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). The National Museum of Scotland was awarded ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism Visitor Attraction status in 2016.
3. The Science Museum Group is the world’s leading alliance of science museums, welcoming over five million visitors each year to five sites: the Science Museum in London; the National Railway Museum in York; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford; and Locomotion in Shildon. We share the stories of innovations and people that shaped our world and are transforming the future, constantly reinterpreting our astonishingly diverse collection of 7.3 million items spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Standout objects include the record-breaking locomotive Flying Scotsman, Richard Arkwright’s textile machinery, Alan Turing’s Pilot ACE computer and the earliest surviving recording of British television. Our mission is to inspire futures - igniting curiosity among people of all ages and backgrounds. Each year, our museums attract more than 600,000 visits by education groups, while our touring exhibition programme brings our creativity and scholarship to audiences across the globe. More information can be found at www.group.sciencemuseum.org.uk
4. About the Soyuz TMA-19M descent module:
   • Soyuz TMA-19M carried astronauts Yuri Malenchenko (Commander, Russia), Tim Kopra (Flight Engineer, USA) and Tim Peake (Flight Engineer, UK) to the International Space Station on 15 December 2015 and returned the same crew to Earth on 18 June 2016.
   • The crew was part of Expeditions 46 and 47 to the International Space Station.
   • The outer surfaces have been charred by temperatures of around 1,500 degrees Celsius experienced during atmospheric re-entry.
   • The module weighs approximately 1.5 tonnes.
   • Marking the 110th birthday of legendary Russian space chief Sergei Korolev and the the UK-Russia Year of Science and Education, the display of Soyuz TMA-19M celebrates the truly global effort behind space exploration today. Manufactured by RSC Energia for ROSCOSMOS the Russian Space Agency, the Soyuz tells the story of the UK’s first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS)
5. Alchemy VR builds on the world class story-telling and technical innovation of Atlantic Productions to create some of the most compelling virtual reality experiences in the world. Alchemy VR’s combination of storytelling and pioneering use of new technologies has created unique and breath taking experiences including David Attenborough's First Life VR and David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef Dive VR. Alchemy VR’s experiences have shown in some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions and will be amongst the first virtual reality documentaries to launch on PlayStation VR. VR projects soon to be released by the studio include experiences that take you deep into the Amazon Jungle, across the sands of the Arabian Desert, and into the heart of Dubai. http://www.alchemyvr.com/ Atlantic Productions was founded in 1992 and in this time has won many of the most prestigious awards in television, including the coveted BAFTA award for best specialist factual twice in the last four years (2014 & 2011), eleven Emmy awards, two RTS awards and the best 3D award at Jackson Hole and Wildscreen. Recent productions include INSIDE THE COMMONS (BBC), and DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S GREAT BARRIER REEF (BBC). http://www.atlanticproductions.tv/
6. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.