Chris's Travels: Science Museum

Just visiting the science Museum today.

The 'Legends of Apollo' film (in 3D) includes a seat that moves up and down in time with events in the film. The motion is no worse than some flights I have taken. It enhances the illusion that of the film.

During the blastoff the chair shake you around at the first stage separation and then at each event. They also jolt you up and down during the lunar buggy ride sequence.

I was in the museum for about 6 hours today as it took this long to see most of the exhibits.

They have a very nice space exhibit.

This had me puzzled for a moment as the image are projections on the globe but there are visible cables thick enough to carry the video and power into the sphere.

The solution is simple though. There are two projectors on either side of the sphere above head height projecting the images onto the outside of the sphere.

It is showing satellite images and weather data.

The three images below are those of a BLACK ARROW which was a british built satellite launch vehicle built during the late 60's and early 70's. It has a connection to Australia as the vehicles were launched from Woomera.

They have a German V2 (I think it is a replica).

This is a J2 rocket engine which was used in the third stage of the Saturn 5 launch vehicle. NASA are currently considering them for future spacecraft because they are proven and reliable and unlike the shuttle main engines have been restarted in space when used to propel the Command/Service/Lunar Module from earth orbit towards the moon.

I was wondering for a while whether they would even mention the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) which drew up very accurate plans for a lunar flight back the 1930's. The BIS had members such as Arthur C Clarke.