The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester has unveiled a 30-foot-tall rocket, Skybolt 2, as the centrepiece of its summer programme. The rocket, built by Manchester-based aerospace company Starchaser, will be on display for free as part of Rocket Wednesdays, which run from July 18 to September 1.
Skybolt 2: A Real-Life Rocket
Skybolt 2 first flew in September 2017 and is designed to reach speeds of up to 32,000 mph. The rocket still bears visible marks from its landing. Visitors can meet the Starchaser team and learn about the technology behind the rocket.
Passport to the Solar System
The museum's summer event, Passport to the Solar System, includes a daily programme of free activities. These include hands-on experiments with rocket power and flight, interactive live shows on space travel, and a museum-wide trail with clues from friendly Martians. The activities aim to inspire future space explorers.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos Exhibition
The blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos is also running, with tickets priced at £10 (family discounts available, under-threes free). Based on the CBBC series, the exhibition features hands-on experiments, interactive challenges, and storytelling. Highlights include stunning aerial images of Earth from space, a life-size model of the Beagle 2 spacecraft, a glowing zone dedicated to the Sun, and a moon zone where visitors can don spacesuits.
This is the first time the Horrible Science brand has been transformed into a large-scale immersive exhibition, created by the museum in collaboration with BBC Children's and Education, Lion Television (an All3Media company), and Scholastic.
Rocket Wednesday Highlights
Activities on Rocket Wednesdays vary each week. Highlights include:
- Interactive walkabout performances by artist Solar Sister, who brings space stories to life with an astronaut puppet.
- A draw-along workshop with Kate Pankhurst, author and illustrator of We Are All Astronauts.
- Space-themed Lego challenges hosted by Bricklands.
Solar Eclipse Celebration on August 12
On August 12, the museum will host a special solar eclipse celebration, replacing rocket activities. The event includes live interactive shows, demonstrations, and giant-screen images of the Sun disappearing.
Quotes from Museum Officials
Gina Cooke, public programmes producer at the Science and Industry Museum, said: “We are so excited to be bringing the wonders of space exploration back to Earth this summer. Space adventure is the result of incredible human ingenuity, and we’ll be fuelling visitors with wonder through a programme that is inspired by our exhibitions to be hands-on, entertaining and playful, while showcasing the real science behind exploration and discovery.”
Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “Free and affordable experiences are more essential than ever during the holidays. Our summer programme will offer families memorable days out to enjoy together, giving them the opportunity to explore the universe without even leaving Manchester.”
Additional Summer Activity: Power Up
Another popular activity at the museum this summer is Power Up, which allows families to explore five decades of gaming. With over 100 consoles, from retro classics like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to virtual reality, a day pass costs £8 for adults or £7 for kids (under-threes free).
General admission tickets for the Science and Industry Museum are free and can be booked online. Tickets for Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos are also available online.
