Project Apollo is really starting to take shape now and one of the features is a 1969 sitting room for you to sit back in and watch the Apollo 11 mission take shape. I did have to step back and admire the wallpaper, my memory of the wallpaper in my parent’s home is that it was almost identical to this, but with paint fingerprints all over it… I was very “creative” as a child!
The steplader isn't authentic!
Did you have a room decorated like this? If you did and you have photographic evidence that has not been burnt or hidden for crimes against fashion, share them with us and there is a family ticket in it for you!
As the countries of the World once again prepare to send humans to the surface of the Moon, you can share in the excitement of landing on another world with “Lunar Conact! Landing the Apollo Lunar Module.” Lunar Contact is an exhilarating simulation of the final minutes of landing the Lunar Module (LM). So come and take command of the LM and join the astronaut adventure!
Join Chris Riley, writer, broadcaster and film maker, on July 20th at the National Space Centre for this milestone anniversary of the moon landings
Saturn V – The Heaviest Vehicle Ever to Fly
A Home From Home – the story of the Apollo Command Module
A Spacecraft to Land on the Moon – the story of the Lunar Module
Reaching the Moon – the extraordinary story behind the Apollo Guidance System
A Spacecraft with Wheels – how the Moon was explored
Chris will also be signing copies of his latest book, the Haynes Manual of Saturn 5 and Apollo 11, as well as Moonwalk One, a DVD documentary filmed only six weeks before Apollo 11’s flight to the Moon in July 1969.
Apollo 11 Haynes Manual
Christopher Riley is a British writer, broadcaster and film maker specialising in science and history of science. Chris has directed and produced on over eighty programmes for the BBC – including their flagship science and technology strand Tomorrow’s World and the cult science show Rough Science.
He was the producer of the BBC’s blockbuster drama documentary Space Odyssey – Voyage to the Planets, and recently produced and directed on the feature documentary film In the Shadow of the Moon, winner of the 2007 Sundance World Cinema Audience Award. It went on general release across the US and Europe in the autumn of 2007 and received it’s TV network premier in the summer of 2008.
Chris is the author of more than thirty articles and books on astronomy and planetary science and regularly lectures on this and other topics. His latest book – Haynes new Apollo 11 – an owner’s workshop manual is out this month.
Would you like to win family pass to the launch weekend of Project Apollo? If so, enter our competition by letting us know who you think these pixilated icons of 1969 really are:
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Good luck! Just leave your comments on who you think the three are and we will add you to the draw to win a family pass. THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED. BUT NEVER FEAR WE HAVE MORE PLANNED BEFORE THE LAUNCH!
Apollo 11 was not the only launch in 1969, toy company Mattel brought us Hot Wheels:
This was also the year that Space Hoppers arrived in the UK, the Nerf Ball was patented and silly string was the new craze. Can you remember any other toys of the 60s and 70s? What where the most memorable Christmas and Birthday presents of the decades?
The immortal words that we all remember from the mission will be those of Neil Armstong; “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, but what would you have said if you were in his moon boots?
Obviously the 60s and 70s music has to play a huge part in Project Apollo, but what songs stand out for you? Here are some ideas for the 60s (carefull you will find yourself singing along at your desk!) but let us know your favourites and tell us why, we might include them in the exhibition!
We left out the Christmas number one from 1969. If you thought Bob the Builder and Mr Blobby are highlights of shame then you will be amused to learn that in 1969 Christmas party goers were shaking there “thang” to Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris! Just to even out the musical playing field, 1969 also saw a group from the West Midlands form; Black Sabbath.
One of the experiences taking shape at the top of the Rocket Tower is the 60s living room. It might not look much yet, but add some orange and brown geometric wallpaper and I am sure the memories will start flooding back. The team creating the new exhibition have bought some of the most iconic items of furniture to make the living room complete, all of which will make everybody over 30 shudder and anybody under 30 question our taste! Any suggestions for must have features for our living room?
Buzz Aldrin is one of only 12 men to walk on the surface of the Moon. He visited the National Space Centre in 2007 and we hope to invite him back very soon if only to show us his new found talent…
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