2019: Liftoff to Space in Basel

Visitors young and old will be delighted. From mid-April 2019, they can explore outer space in Basel. On around 13,000 square metres, the organisers of the Swiss Space Museum promise "original exhibits, some of which will be on display in Switzerland for the first time. These include an original Nasa mission control console from the 1960s and a replica of the space capsule of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

Experience space travel up close with VR

Big highlights will also be the large lunar landscape and a full-scale replica of a Saturn V rocket used for the Apollo missions. In addition to unique interactive worlds of experience, there will be various virtual reality stations where visitors can experience modern space travel at first hand

These interactive elements are also intended to familiarise guests with the next pioneering achievements of manned spaceflight, says the project manager, Guido Schwarz, founder of the Swiss Space Museum project. "The first steps of a human on Mars or a permanently inhabited moon base are examples of these that are also presented in the exhibition."

In addition, various events with invited guests will be organised throughout the duration of the exhibition," explains Schwarz. Among them are leading minds in research and astronauts.

 Space Camp for pupils

There is also something for young visitors. For example, the little ones can get a playful insight into the topic of space in the "Kids Space Lab". One of the main goals of "Liftoff to Space" is to pass on as much knowledge as possible to schoolchildren. "We want to awaken their enthusiasm for space travel." To this end, the "Kids Space Camp" is also organised during the summer holidays in July and August. There, children, young people and families can gain an insight into the exciting topic of space," says Schwarz. And satisfy their curiosity about science and technology.

The major exhibition runs for four months. Dripping with symbolism, those responsible presented the exhibition at the Urania Observatory. "We wanted to get a little closer to the stars," says Schwarz. Incidentally, Martin Schorno is part of the exhibition team alongside him. Schorno has already brought a big hit to Basel with the Fantasy comic fair. Advance ticket sales will start at the beginning of December 2018.