Starchaser Skybolt space rocket to appear at Great North Museum

For one weekend only, visitors to Newcastle University’s Great North Museum have the chance to see a real life space rocket. The eight-metre-tall Starchaser Skybolt rocket will be on show outside the museum on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July.

Skybolt was developed by Cheshire’s Starchaser Industries as a reusable research rocket and successfully launched at Otterburn on 11 September 2017, carrying commercial cargo and Sam, a stuffed toy dog. The rocket now tours the UK as part of Starchaser’s education programme.

Steve Bennett, managing director of Starchaser, said:

“There are millions of people who’d like to take a trip to outer space and the successful flight of Skybolt last September took us another step closer to making that dream a reality.”

The special ‘flying visit’ of Skybolt to the Great North Museum coincides with the 49^th anniversary of man’s first steps on the moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took that giant leap on 21 July 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.

Visitors can also enjoy the exhibition Which Way North which is part of Great Exhibition of the North and features Helen Sharman’s space suit, headset and personal hygiene kit. Sharman was Britain’s first astronaut and the first woman to visit the Mir space station in 1991.

Skybolt arrives with driver Fraser Roe at approximately 9am on Saturday 21 July. The Great North Museum building is then open 10am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday with free entry.

Please contact Jonathan Loach - Jonathan.Loach@twmuseums.org.uk 0191 277 2168