The National Space Centre at 25!

On the 30 June, the National Space Centre will be celebrating a truly special milestone: their 25th birthday. It was on that day in 2001 that they first opened their doors to the public, welcoming curious families and space enthusiasts through the entrance for the very first time. Fast forward 25 years, and they are still inspiring, still exploring, and still welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond.

As an independent charity, reaching 25 years is no small feat, and it simply would not have been possible without the ongoing support of all their visitors, partners, and community.

Of course, they can’t let such an occasion pass without celebrating it. There is a fantastic line-up of activities, experiences, and special touches planned; not just for the big day. Read on to find out more!

Their official birthday falls on Tuesday 30 June, and they have something truly special to mark the occasion. The Centre will be hosting a Pay What You Can Day, reinforcing their commitment to being a ‘Space For Everyone’. They’re looking for as many people as possible to join them, whether you are a long-time supporter or visiting for the very first time. As it’s a birthday party, they’ll be staying open a little later.

And what is a birthday party without cake? Josh Smalley, Postdoctoral Research Associate and Science Communication Champion at University of Leicester and finalist in the Great British Bake Off, will be creating a bespoke birthday cake on the day. You will of course be able to grab a slice and celebrate.

They will also be unveiling the highly anticipated new Outer Solar System experience. This exciting new addition has been in development for a long time, and we cannot wait for you to discover it. It promises to be a highlight of the year and a fantastic way to mark this milestone birthday, so come and discover this immersive space experience, create your own extremophile, and uncover the secrets of the gas giants.

From the moment you arrive, you will notice that the Centre has been transformed to mark the occasion. A 25th Birthday sign will welcome you in, setting the tone for a day of celebration. Inside, birthday bunting will bring a real sense of occasion.

Any good Birthday party needs some fun activities, so the Discovery team will be helping you make your very own birthday badges, bunting, or hats. Plus, drop in for a hands-on baking session with Josh Smalley, or join the Youth Voice community group for something special to celebrate this special day.

They have also refreshed the Our Solar System gallery, one of the Centre’s most popular areas. They’ve had lots of lovely messages telling them that their children have been missing the gallery, so this is the perfect time to come back and reacquaint yourself with Our Solar System, or even see it for the first time.

The Space Centre’s 25th year has already featured some incredible moments. Earlier in May, they were honoured to welcome Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, to help kick off the celebrations with a special talk. And continuing that theme of Brits in Space, Tim Peake, the UK’s first ESA astronaut, will be joining later in the week to give a talk in the planetarium and hold a book signing.

But the celebrations do not stop there. As the year continues, there will be a series of 25th anniversary film clubs, featuring films that were originally shown all the way back in 2001… including a very special Secret Screening for the first time. If you would like to know what the film is, well, you will need to come and find out.

No celebration would be complete without something to take home. To commemorate the occasion, they have created a special-edition 25th Birthday tote bag and lollipop, so be sure to pick one up from the Shop and support them.

And if you are feeling peckish, stop by Boosters Café, where you will find delicious birthday cake cookies. They are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during your visit, or to take away as a little reminder of the day.