After an eagerly anticipated wait, the Russian space capsule that returned British astronaut, Tim Peake and his two cosmonaut colleagues to earth from the International Space Station has arrived at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon.
An enthusiastic Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Luan Deakin said: “It’s really exciting to see this exhibition come to Shildon.
“Everyone will love it, from those who remember the beginnings of space exploration to young people who have grown up with all the technology.
“The virtual reality descent from the International Space Station back to earth is absolutely amazing.”
Shildon and Dene Valley County Councillor, Brian Stephens echoed Cllr Deakin’s passion, saying: “This [exhibition] is absolutely fantastic.
“For school children in this area to be able to come here and see something like this is remarkable.
“I think this exibition demonstrates that the museum’s partnership with the Science Museum will open the floodgates to bigger and better things for the town and the area in general.”
Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum at York said: “This a fantastic day, not only for the museum, but for Shildon, County Durham and the North East.
The display also includes an unmissable opportunity to experience the capsule’s descent from the space station back to earth through virtual reality.
The exhibition, which is Locomotion’s first collaboration with new owners, the Science Museum, represents a major coup for Shildon.
Later it will travel across the country to York, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, but will first remain on display at Locomotion until 15th January.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
