Rocket lands at Manchester's Science and Industry Museum for summer holidays
Families can see the 30-foot Skybolt 2 for free at the museum this summer15:49, 15 Jul 2026Families have a special treat in store at the Science and Industry Museum this summer. As part of its Passport to the. . .
Families can see the 30-foot Skybolt 2 for free at the museum this summer15:49, 15 Jul 2026Families have a special treat in store at the Science and Industry Museum this summer. As part of its Passport to the Solar System event, Rocket Wednesdays will give visitors the chance to get up close to a real life-size rocket. Youngsters can gaze at the 30-foot-tall rocket ship Skybolt 2, hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company Starchaser, and meet the team behind it. Click hereto keep up to date with the latest Family news in our newsletterDesigned to reach speeds of up to 32,00mph, Skybolt 2 first flew in September 2017 and still displays some visible marks from its landing. There's loads more space-themed fun planned too, including a packed daily programme of free activities 'designed to ignite imaginations and inspire future space explorers'. Get hands-on with rocket power and the mind-blowing forces of flight during hands-on activities, discover the science behind space travel in interactive live shows that reveal the science behind space travel, and follow clues left by friendly Martians on a museum-wide trail uncovering fascinating space-related objects and stories. The blockbuster space exhibition,Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, is also running, with tickets priced at £10 (family discount available and under-threes go free). Based on the hit CBBC series, the exhibition delivers 'rocket-loads of silly and surprising science during an epic space adventure'. It sees explorers blasted into the Solar System where hands-on experiments, interactive challenges, mischievous storytelling, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. Take in the views and see spectacular sights from across the Solar System, including stunning aerial images of Earth taken from space and life-size model of Beagle 2, the first UK and European spacecraft to land on another planet. Catch some rays and explore the Sun in a completely new light via a glowing zone dedicated to the star at the centre of our Solar System. And dress for theweatherby donning a spacesuit to explore the exhibition’s moon zone. It's the first time the much-loved Horrible Science brand has been transformed into a large-scale immersive exhibition and has been created by the museum in collaboration with producers of the brand-new Horrible Science TV show,BBCChildren's and Education, and Lion Television, an All3Media company, together with Scholastic, publishers of the much-loved Horrible Science book series by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles. Activities running on Rocket Wednesdays will vary each week, with highlights including:A new twist on a classic seaside puppet show with artist, Solar Sister, who will bring space stories to life during interactive walkabout performances alongside an astronaut puppet companion,A draw-a-long workshop with Kate Pankhurst, bestselling author and illustrator of children’s story, We Are All Astronauts. Space-inspired Lego challenges. From rockets and space stations to alien worlds and futuristic vehicles, imaginations will take off with activities hosted by Bricklands. A special solar eclipse celebration will also take place on August 12, when rocket activities will be swapped for a special event to mark the solar eclipse, including live interactive shows, demonstrations, spectacular images of the Sun disappearing on giant screens and opportunities to discover more about this rare celestial event. Gina Cooke, public programmes producer at the Science and Industry Museum, said: “We are so excited to be bringing the wonders of space exploration back to Earth this summer. “Space adventure is the result of incredible human ingenuity, and we’ll be fuelling visitors with wonder through a programme that is inspired by our exhibitions to be is hands-on, entertaining and playful, while showcasing the real science behind exploration and discovery. ”Director of the Science and Industry Museum, Sally MacDonald, said: “Free and affordable experiences are more essential than ever during the holidays. Our summer programme will offer families memorable days out to enjoy together, giving them the opportunity to explore the universe without even leaving Manchester. ”Passport to the Solar System runs from July 18 to September 1. General admission tickets for the Science and Industry Museum are free and can bebooked online. Tickets for Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos are also available to bookhere. Another popular activity running at the museum this summer is Power Up, which gives families the chance to explore five decades of play. Billed as 'the ultimate gaming experience', visitors can discover how far computer games have come. From retro favourites like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to virtual reality, there's something for all the family with over 100 consoles to experience. A day pass costs £8 for adults or £7 for kids. Three and under go free. See thewebsite herefor more.