Vintage buses are coming to Aerospace Bristol
A satellite designed and built in Filton has been celebrated at Aerospace Bristol, 55 years after it became the first British satellite launched by a British rocket.
Prospero was built by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) at Filton and launched into Earth’s orbit from Woomera, South Australia, on October 28 1971, aboard a Black Arrow rocket.
The museum’s full-size replica of Prospero sits above a real, unfuelled Waxwing rocket motor. To mark the anniversary, it is displayed in the museum’s space section beside a replica of Beagle 2, the UK lander sent to search for life on Mars in 2003 in a mission led by Bristol-born Professor Colin Pillinger.
The museum’s annual Space Week, which ran from October 3-10, included daily space spotlight talks in which experts shared the history and impact of Prospero, Beagle 2 and more.
The space theme continues into October half-term, with hands-on activities for families from October 24 to November 1.
Visitors can also build and launch their own rockets at a drop-in workshop, watch space- themed drone displays and take part in Models for Heroes, a workshop raising awareness of mental health among veterans and emergency services personnel.
In the Concorde Hangar, children can make constellation cubes under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde ever to fly. Space dress- up for all ages and a draw-your- own-constellation colouring wall are available every day.
Bristol Vintage Bus Day also returns on Sunday October 25, bringing between 30 and 40 double-decker buses to the site, with visitors able to board a vintage bus for a short trip around the local area.
Sally Cordwell, chief executive at Aerospace Bristol, said: “We’re passionate about sparking curiosity in young people, and this October we’re inviting families to explore the UK’s space story, from a satellite built in Filton to a lander sent to Mars.”
“Whether it’s building a rocket, flying a simulator or hearing from our experts, we hope every visit opens minds to the wonders of space and engineering, and shows children that the next big leap could be theirs.”
Visitors can also experience 100 years of aerospace history and walk the aisle of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot.
Information and tickets are available at aerospacebristol.org