On 15 December 2015 Tim Peake will become the UK’s second ever astronaut, following in the footsteps of Helen Sharmon who flew to Mir in 1991. (See a recent BBC article about Helen Sharmon and Tim Peake.) (Those of you who know my work will know that I’m inherently inclined to deconstruct the nationalism behind these stories and events… but for now I’m just going to get into the spirit and join in!)
Exhibition Road in London, near the Science Museum and Natural History Museum will be more-or-less closed off for a host of events that run all day and into the evening.
“England! Celebrate Tim Peake’s launch to the International Space Station” will feature…”activities for families and school groups during the day followed by a late night celebration for adults.
“Large screens in the Science Museum’s Energy Hall will show the launch, with organisations including the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, Imperial College London and the Royal College of Music running space themed workshops and talks, displaying space exhibits and providing the chance to meet researchers throughout the day.
“An evening celebration at the Science Museum aimed at adults will feature over 50 space-themed activities from the Discover South Kensington organisations. The first video of Tim Peake on the International Space Station will be shown with the event finishing at 22:00.
“This event is free and open to all, no tickets are required. Just turn up on the day and join in the celebrations!”
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Imperial College London and the Science Museum will also be running a great programme of other events, some of which require ticketing. See the website “Principia launch Late: Celebrating Tim Peake’s journey to the International Space Station” for their lineup.
