A live-in Mars space station, on its way to the wilds of Iceland, is stopping off at The Wroughton Science Museum next month. The full-size, fully functional space capsule is owned by the maverick Mars Society which has more than a passing interest in getting man settled on the red planet.
 | | The Planetarium at Wroughton |
The privately funded society, with more than a hint of the DIY approach about it, has already got two "Mars Habitation Units" set up in the Utah desert and the Canadian Arctic. The aim, at both these research units, is for space suited astrophysicists to move in, Big Brother style, and road test the equipment. The Mars capsule winging its way to Wiltshire, however, will be Europe's first. Christened EuroMars, for obvious reasons, the three storey mock space centre is a more advanced version of its US cousins boasting a research lab, living area, sleeping quarters and space toilet. But since its unveiling three years ago, at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, EuroMars hasn't seen the light of day let alone Mars. A lack of funds has meant it had to be literally shelved (flat-pack style) and put into storage. Now, with new funding, the mini-Mars des-re is on its way to the UK for a 6 month lay over at the Wroughton Science Museum before heading off to a mars-like corner of Iceland. Although it won't be fully operational in time for the Science Museum's Mars, Meteors and Mulled Wine event, on November 7th, visitors will be able to sneak a peak at it under construction. Mars, Meteors and Mulled Wine
 | | Inside the planetarium |
Meanwhile back to Mars… which, on Monday November 7th, will be experiencing its closest encounter with Earth this century. To celebrate the Museum is giving everyone the chance to get up close and personal with the 4th Rock from the Sun with state-of-the-art telescopes and astronomical equipment. Prof Colin Pillinger, the lead scientist on the Beagle 2 project, will be on site to talk about Mars exploration and if you don't know your nebula from your navel Dr John Griffiths, from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, will be on hand to point you in the right direction. And if there's no break in this country's permanent uni-cloud you can always head in doors and check out what you're missing in the museum's new 20-seater planetarium. Plus with the set designer from the BBC’s cult comedy Red Dwarf also on-site… it's going to be cosmic! The Mars, Meteors and Mulled Wine event is on Monday 7th November at the Science Museum Wroughton. Tickets are £10.00 for adults and £8.00 concessions and include supper and mulled wine. For more information about the event call the Science Muesum on 01793 846 200 or click on the Wroughton Science Museum link in the right hand column.
The EuroMars station will be at the Wroughton Science Muesum until May, 2006. For more information contact the Science Museum on 01793 846 200. | 
