The Soyuz spacecraft used by Tim Peake as part of the Principia Mission to the International Space Station will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland from May–August 2018.

European Space Agency Astronaut, Tim Peake returned to Earth in the 1.5-tonne Soyuz TMA-19M descent module on 18 June 2016 after six months orbiting the globe on the International Space Station, conducting experiments, walking in space and even running a marathon.

The Science Museum Group acquired the module in December 2016 and it has recently been displayed in the Science Museum in London. The spacecraft is now going on a UK tour, supported by Samsung, and the National Museum of Scotland is the only Scottish venue.

Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:

We are delighted to be able to give our visitors the rare opportunity to see this spacecraft up close. The subject of space travel carries a universal and enduring fascination, and to have the chance to view an object which has transported astronauts safely back to Earth from space – enduring temperatures of around 1,500 degrees Celsius as it passed through the atmosphere – is truly awe-inspiring.

Tim Peake said:

I’m particularly happy that people up and down the UK now have the opportunity to discover more about my Principia mission and space travel, and that the Science Museum Group – with the support of Samsung – are doing so much to inspire the public and schools in this tour.

The Soyuz TMA-19M is the first flown, manned spacecraft in the UK’s national space technology collection. Its display in Hawthornden Court at the National Museum offers visitors the unmissable chance to see it up close; complete with its 25-metre parachute and scorch marks from its re-entry through the atmosphere.

The spacecraft will be displayed alongside Space Descent VR with Tim Peake, a unique, virtual reality adventure using Samsung Gear VR technology which places visitors right at the heart of Tim Peake’s journey from the International Space Station back to Earth.

Launching during the UK-Russia Year of Science and Education, The National Tour of Tim Peake’s Spacecraft celebrates the truly global effort behind modern space exploration. Manufactured by RSC Energia for ROSCOSMOS the Russian Space Agency, the Soyuz tells the story of the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut’s journey to the International Space Station.

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford is the first stop on the tour, with the Soyuz going on display from Wednesday 27 September – Sunday 19 November, before landing in Shildon, York, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

About the Soyuz TMA-19M descent module:

• Soyuz TMA-19M carried astronauts Yuri Malenchenko (Commander, Russia), Tim Kopra (Flight Engineer, USA) and Tim Peake (Flight Engineer, UK) to the International Space Station on 15 December 2015 and returned the same crew to Earth on 18 June 2016.
• The crew was part of Expeditions 46 and 47 to the International Space Station.
• The outer surfaces have been charred by temperatures of around 1,500 degrees Celsius experienced during atmospheric re-entry.
• The module weighs approximately 1.5 tonnes.
• Marking the 110th birthday of legendary Russian space chief Sergei Korolev and the the UK-Russia Year of Science and Education, the display of Soyuz TMA-19M celebrates the truly global effort behind space exploration today. Manufactured by RSC Energia for ROSCOSMOS the Russian Space Agency, the Soyuz tells the story of the UK’s first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS)

Linked Magazine is a new, dynamic online local lifestyle magazine and business directory that serves Stirlingshire, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. We have feature articles, local walks, events and the best of ‘What’s On’. We post these regularly on social media, so if you’d like to see more, please pop over and like our Facebook page.

Businesses that wish to list within our categorised Business Directory can find out more here