Take one giant leap into space-themed half term fun!
Published on: 3 October 2023
Prepare for an out of this world October half term at the RAF Museum Midlands. Blast off into nine days of Jet and Space activities that will take families on an explorative journey into the skies!
Discover more about the universe in a planetarium experience, try on a real spacesuit, build your own rocket, and look deep into the night sky during stargazing evenings. From 28 October to 5 November, activities exploring space will be nestled amongst the Museum’s impressive jet aircraft, with access on board and into the cockpits of a few!
The event will celebrate the RAF’s leading role as part of UK Space Command, helping the UK and our allies to reach higher and further than ever before – the sky is no longer the limit!
Set your sights on the skies as you enter the huge mobile Planetarium, Space Odyssey’s Galileo Dome for a 360° journey to the stars. This immersive experience will take visitors through the history of space exploration, from early beginnings to the Apollo programme, and a look towards the future pursuit of returning humans to the moon! This breathtaking experience for the whole family lasts approximately 40 minutes and will include a round-up of the latest news from space. Tickets cost £5.00 per person.
Ever wondered what astronauts wear underneath their spacesuit? An interactive spacesuit display will have all the answers to your intergalactic curiosities, along with an opportunity to handle real astronaut kit, learn all about it, and even try things on!
Take one giant leap over to the space activity zone, where young explorers can get crafty and build their own pocket solar system and straw rocket, under the giant wings of the Vulcan bomber. These free drop-in sessions also include an interactive scale model solar system demonstration, and a space-themed talk from the Shropshire Astronomical Society that will get families imagining life beyond earth.
Amateur astronomers are invited to explore the night skies in the exclusive out-of-hours Stargazing Evening! Hosted in partnership with the Shropshire Astronomical Society, participants will use telescopes to observe the moon, planets and constellations above us. The stargazing evenings will take place on Saturday 28 October, with an amazing full moon, and on Wednesday 1 November, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. Tickets cost £7.50 adult, £5.00 child.
In addition to the space activities, the Museum will be opening the Hunter and Phantom cockpits giving visitors the opportunity to sit in the pilot seat of a real jet aircraft. Throughout the school break, at least one cockpit will be open each day. There’s no need to pre-book, but youngsters must be a minimum of one metre tall to sit inside the cockpit and be accompanied by an adult.
RAF Museum Midlands Public Events Manager, Ulrike Stuebner said:
‘We have an exciting programme of intergalactic activities during our half term Jet and Space Week. There’s something to get children of all ages excited about the fascinating world of space, whether that’s building their own pocket solar system, trying on a spacesuit, or marvelling in the planetarium, families are guaranteed to have fun!’
For a full schedule of all the activities taking place during Jet and Space Week and to plan your mission in advance, CLICK HERE. Entry to the Museum and participation in the Jet and Space activities is free. Admission charges apply for the Planetarium and Stargazing evening, tickets are available to book online. Get ready for blast off!