Space explorers land at Science Museum

An exhibition celebrating our quest to explore outer space opens today at the Science Museum.

Equipment that has helped mankind investigate the solar system will be on display, some of it for the first time.

Exhibits include a full-size replica of the ill-fated Beagle 2 Mars Lander, the real Spacelab 2 X-ray telescope flown on the Space Shuttle Challenger and the Hubble Space Telescope's spare camera.

Pride of place goes to a restored replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module from which Neil Armstrong launched man's first steps on the moon in July 1969.

In one section of the gallery, a giant screen plots the paths of the tens of thousands of satellites orbiting the earth.

The Exploring Space show has been created to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the launch of the first British satellite, Ariel 1, and the passing of 50 years since Sputnik sparked the space race.

Space curator Doug Millard said: "Mankind has an endless fascination for space. It touches something deep inside us. Today's students are tomorrow's explorers and we hope this display will stimulate their imaginations."

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