Press Releases

The spacecraft that transported Tim Peake, the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut, to and from the International Space Station lands at National Museum Cardiff from Thursday 15 November.

The Soyuz TMA-19M capsule, complete with equipped interior and char marks on its outer body from its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, will be displayed along with its 25m diameter parachute as part of a national tour presented by the Science Museum Group and global technology innovators Samsung. Also on display will be Tim Peake’s Sokol KV-2 emergency spacesuit, the spacecraft antenna, interactive displays about the International Space Station and life in space.

The capsule will be accompanied by Space Descent VR supported by Samsung, a unique virtual reality adventure using Samsung Gear VR technology. Narrated by Tim Peake himself, Space Descent VR recreates the experience of making the incredible 250-mile journey back down to Earth from the International Space Station inside a Soyuz capsule. Space Descent VR is available to visitors 13 years and over. Tickets can be bought on the day for £6 per person.

A programme of activities dedicated to Tim Peake’s Principia mission will run throughout the exhibition with a special space-themed family fun day on 17 November and a star themed Christmas event on 15 & 16 December.

The tour will be accompanied by an outreach programme to engage young people in schools with potential futures in STEM subjects.

David Anderson, Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said: “We are very excited about bringing the Soyuz TMA-19M capsule to Cardiff and Wales. The Soyuz capsule represents one of history’s most incredible technological feats, and this is an unmissable opportunity for visitors young and old to see the craft that brought Tim Peake all the way back from International Space Station.”

Director of the Science Museum Group, Ian Blatchford said: "It is rare to see the star objects in Britain’s great museum collections touring the length and breadth of the country. I am so pleased with the success of the Soyuz tour to date and I am thrilled that people will have the opportunity to see this extraordinary artefact of recent space history on display at National Museum Cardiff.”

Kate Beaumont, Director Product, Services & Commercial Strategy, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland

“Samsung believes technology has the power to spark curiosity and truly enable life-long learning, and we know that space travel captures the nation’s imagination. As a business, we thrive on innovation and change and; for that we need increasingly diverse talent. We hope by creating experiences such as Space Descent using our Gear VR technology and bringing it closer to schools and communities across the UK, we can inspire more young people to engage with vital STEM subjects.”

Soyuz TMA-19M carried Peake and crewmates Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra in ESA Expedition 46/47 to the ISS on 15 December 2015, returning on 18 June 2016. It was acquired last year by the Science Museum Group.

Commenting on the acquisition, ESA astronaut Tim Peake said: “You do become very attached to your spacecraft because it definitely does save your life. I’m absolutely delighted that my Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA-19M, is going to be returning here to the UK and may serve, hopefully, as inspiration for our next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Visitor information and details of special events, including the Space Descent VR experience and accompanying activities at National Museum Cardiff can be found on the museum website www.museum.wales/cardiff (charge and conditions apply to Space Descent VR).

Space Descent VR with Tim Peake and the presentation of Tim Peake’s spacecraft have been made possible with support from Samsung and the generous co-operation of Tim Peake and the European Space Agency. The tour will be accompanied by an outreach programme to engage young people in schools with potential futures in STEM subjects.

ENDS