Exploring The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks
Remembering the pioneers of space travel and looking forward to the next generation of space travellers
As we gear up for the excitement of humanity's return to the Moon, there's an extraordinary exhibition that's capturing hearts and minds, offering a glimpse into the past and the future. I'm talking about "The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.
Located not far from London King’s Cross, I experienced the exhibit this Bank holiday weekend. So what’s it all about? Tom Hanks, a name synonymous with cinematic excellence has a fascination with space exploration. Hanks skilfully curated an immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey through the Apollo missions, when NASA sent nine spacecraft carrying 24 human beings to the Moon between 1968 and 1972.
Captain Eugene A. Cernan was the last man to walk on the moon. The legendary astronaut commanded Apollo 17, and according to NASA, Cernan logged 566 hours and 15 minutes in space—of which more than 73 hours were spent on the surface of the Moon.
Cernan concluded his historic space exploration career as commander of the last human mission to the moon in December 1972. En route to the moon, the crew captured an iconic photo of the home planet, with an entire hemisphere fully illuminated—a “whole Earth” view showing Africa, the Arabian peninsula and the south polar ice cap. The hugely popular photo was referred to by some as the “Blue Marble,” a title in use for an ongoing series of NASA Earth imagery. NASA
"The Moonwalkers" offers a profound reflection on our past achievements and a hopeful gaze towards the future. It's not just about the technical prowess or the scientific advancements; it's about the human spirit, the courage, and the insatiable curiosity that drives people towards the astronaut programme. The shows run every hour, and they last for approximately 55 minutes. There’s an opportunity to grab a coffee or a glass of wine either before or after the show. If you like merchandise, there are several books for sale, in addition to hoodies and t-shirts.
Top Tip - Sit towards the rear of the theatre, as you’ll see films and animations projected on all four walls and, occasionally on the floor.
This exhibition couldn't have come at a more opportune moment, especially with NASA's recent announcement of targeting September 2025 for the a historic mission.
Artemis II mission
The crew of Artemis II will set a record for travelling further than any human beyond the far side of the Moon. The first Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion flight with astronauts will last approximately 10 days.
In March 2023, NASA announced Artemis III (2026) will land astronauts, including the first woman on the Moon to advance long-term lunar exploration and scientific discovery, and inspire the Artemis Generation.
Pending NASA Missions
Two astronauts will fly Starliner and United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station today (06 May 2024). Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will spend two weeks in space, before returning to Earth in the Western United States.
Starliner, a pod that can carry up to seven astronauts, has come to symbolise Boeing’s struggles to compete with rival SpaceX, whose Crew Dragon spacecraft flew its first human mission in 2020. Via Telegraph
Much of what we know about climate change has been studied by NASA scientists. Later this month, NASA will launch an experiment to measure heat loss from the Earth’s polar regions. Learn more about NASA’s future missions, here.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. In the midst of turbulent global politics, it’s easy to forget about humanity's enduring fascination with space exploration. NASA are on a trajectory to capture the imagination of future space travellers, just as Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders did in on Apollo 8, in 1968.