Touchdown… Tim Peake to land his spaceship in York

Lots of the exhibits at the National Railway Museum have many miles on the clock – but none have travelled all the way from space.

That’s all about to change as the Soyuz spacecraft used by Major Tim Peake is to touchdown in the York attraction.

The capsule, which blasted off as part of a Soyuz rocket in December 2015, took Tim and two other astronauts to the International Space Station, before bringing them back in June 2016.

The Science Museum Group, which includes the NRM, acquired the Soyuz TMA-19M capsule in 2016.

After an initial stay at The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford it will come to York from January to March.

‘Support from York’

The news was announced on the day when Tim, the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut, was talking about his Principia mission at the University of York (September 26).

Speaking before that lecture, he said: “I’ve been extremely touched by the support from York around my mission to the International Space Station.

“It is great to be back in York to thank as many people as possible in person.”

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/6FHOvZFQ6iA” title=”Tim Peake brings spaceship to York” /]

When his Soyuz spacecraft comes to York, visitors can come face-to-face with the historic piece of engineering that transported him safely back home.

The exhibition will be enhanced by Space Descent VR — a virtual reality adventure using Samsung Gear VR technology

This allows you to enjoy a 360⁰ look inside the Soyuz capsule and experience the thrill of being an astronaut as you retrace Tim’s 400km journey back to Earth from the ISS.

The NRM is also planning additional activities for the whole family on weekends and during February half term.

Tim Peake’s spacecraft — complete with its 25-metre parachute — will be free to visit at the NRM.

Space Descent VR will be available to visitors aged 13 and over for £5-£6. The tour will be accompanied by an outreach programme to engage young people in schools.