Space Camp

Want to be an astronaut? Ever wondered how space travel might affect your body? How about your mind? Join us for Space Camp – it’ll be out of this world…

Altitude physiologist Victoria-Alice Porter’s research simulates the extreme forces that astronauts experience when they escape, and return to, the Earth’s atmosphere. Chat to her about her unique experiences in artificial space and its effect on the body.

What’s it like to fly a rocket into orbit? Does the thrill overcome the anxiety of a lunar landing? Find out more about the psychological nature of space travel with producer of the BBC’s Space Odyssey Chris Riley.

Meet Kevin Fong, the UK’s top space medic. From the ‘vomit comet’ to the long-term effects of space travel on astronauts’ bodies, find out about the highs and lows of space travel. To get into shape for your journey to space, let Chris Welch put you through your paces. He should know what it’s like – he was short-listed for the UK’s Juno space mission.

Visit Space World in the Dana Café. Here you can experience the disorientation that comes with weightlessness by taking a spin in a gyroscope. You can also handle the objects that help bring astronauts back to Earth in one piece – what’s the vital equipment an astronaut needs to survive in space?

We link live to the European Space Agency to meet Michel Tognini. He's been on missions with the Russians to the Mir space station and with NASA aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. What's it like getting up in the morning for that kind of job?

Finally, you can test your skills on our range of quizzes. And if that seems too much like hard work, relax with a space cocktail from the bar and enjoy the atmosphere.

Event organised by:
The BA, EDAB and The Science Museum.

Speakers

Michel Tognini, astronaut.
Kevin Fong, space medic.
Victoria-Alice Porter, altitude physiologist.
Chris Riley, producer of the BBC's Space Odyssey.
Chris Welch, space engineer