A blurred image of a child playing in the 'Home Planet' Gallery.

Mission Europa - October Half Term

This October half term join our Mission Commanders on a journey to the smallest of Jupiter's four Galilean Moons, Europa.

  • Free Drop in Talks and Workshops
  • Included in the Annual Pass (online booking essential)
  • Something for All the Family

Tickets & Passes

  1. A child playing with a mock space control booth.

    Looking for a family day out this October half term holiday? 

    Why not head to the National Space Centre for an off world mission to the ice moon Europa to discover water volcanos and the possibility of alien life.

    Included in your day are additional drop-in talks and workshops, as well as our brand-new full dome show in the UK's largest planetarium.

    Make sure you don't miss a real off world mission with a trip to low Earth orbit from the Tetrastar Spaceport.

    Book now to secure your out of this world experience whatever the weather!

    Tickets & Passes

A family walking down the entrance ramp to the National Space Centre. They are smiling.

Top Tips for a Great Day Out

  • Book your ticket on our website in advance to guarantee entry (this includes Annual Pass return visits).
  • Arrive early or late! We open at 10:00 and peak arrival is 11:00-13:00. If you arrive before we open, or as people are leaving, it will be a lot quieter in the exhibition.
  • Your first visit includes a planetarium show (you book this when you buy your ticket). Make sure you arrive at the planetarium 10 minutes before your showtime to help us seat everybody on time. If you miss your show we may not be able to schedule another one if we have sold out on the day of your visit. 
  • We have added a pop-up cafe for the half term, so if you want a simple snack or a drink drop in there. Our Boosters Cafe offers homemade soups, jacket potatoes, salads, sandwiches, snacks and hot/cold drinks. 

Activities

  1. Families sit observing a live talk in the 'Live Space' gallery. A blue light is shone over them.

    Why Europa?

    In 2024 NASA's Clipper mission will launch for Europa with an overarching goal; to discover if there are conditions suitable for life below the moon's ice crust. Find out what we know so far, what we have learnt from previous missions, and why this one is important for our understanding of our place in the Universe. 

  2. A child playing with a mix and match alien tower exhibit.

    The Search for Life

    Discover the wonderful world of Extremophiles, organisms that thrives in extreme environments right here on Earth. Explore the science of life on other planets and what we believe this could look like in the harsh conditions of our Universe. 

  3. An adult and child seen behind Lego structure. They are smiling and the boy is pointing towards the camera.

    Satellite Radar Experiment Station

    Find out how Clipper’s instruments will monitor the Moon to map the surface. Can you work out the landscape and map it using our LEGO brick surface?

The Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium displaying an image of the Milky Way, as seen from Earth.

Planetarium

When you buy a ticket to the National Space Centre you will also be able to see one of our award-winning planetarium shows at no extra cost.

If you are visiting with an Annual Pass, you can buy a show for £3 per person (subject to availability) upon arrival at the Centre.

  1. A 3D rendering of a large inside theme park, with 'The Great Solar System Adventure' in carnival sign text front and centre.

    The Great Solar System Adventure

    • Suggested 5+

    Join showman extraordinaire "The Great Schiaparelli" as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium. From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is. Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece!

  2. A 3D rendering of an astronaut is at the left of the image. Text reads 'Astronaut, a fulldome experience like nothing on Earth, with Ewan McGregor'.

    Astronaut

    • Suggested 5+

    The exploration of Space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

    Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer Space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.

  3. The Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium displays an image of fireworks and lanterns.

    Tour of the Night Sky

    • Suggested 8+

    Using our immersive Planetarium, sit back and relax as we journey together through the wonders of the Universe. Your presenter will guide you around our night time sky and together you will look at the stars, visit planets and explore the mysteries of Space, in your own unique adventure. Vote for some of your favourite stops along the way, in this exciting and audience driven journey.