National Space Center, Leicester (must see)

The National Space Centre in Leicester is a museum and educational resource dedicated to space science and astronomy. Located in Belgrave, on the north side of Leicester, next to the River Soar, the Centre also engages in space research in collaboration with the University of Leicester. One of its most distinctive features is the semi-transparent ETFE-clad tower, housing upright rockets, which has become an iconic landmark of the city. The Centre also boasts the largest planetarium in the United Kingdom.

The origins of the National Space Centre trace back to the 1980s, when Professor Alan Wells and Professor Ken Pounds from the University of Leicester first proposed the concept of a research facility with public access. However, due to a lack of funds, the project did not advance at the time. A new proposal emerged in 1995, championed by Professor Alan Wells, Professor Alan Ponter, and Nigel Siesage, shifting the vision toward a space museum.

The first phase of the project was the Challenger Learning Centre, which opened at Leicester University in December 1999 before relocating to the National Space Centre site a year later. This facility, the first of its kind outside North America, featured a simulated spacecraft and mission control setup for educational programs.

Initially named the National Space Science Centre, the institution rebranded as the National Space Centre in December 2000 for marketing purposes. The name change helped avoid confusion with the British National Space Centre, which later became the UK Space Agency.

On 30 June 2001, the National Space Centre was officially inaugurated by former NASA astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman. Within its first five months, the Centre welcomed 165,000 visitors, exceeding expectations by 25%, and was awarded Museum of the Year by the Good Britain Guide in 2002. At its inception, it also served as the base for over 60 scientists and astronomers working on space science research projects.

Today, the National Space Centre remains a prominent institution for space education and research, offering engaging exhibits and fostering public interest in the wonders of the universe.