The Australian Space Discovery Centre opened its doors three years ago to inspire the next generation. Last month, it recorded its 100,000th visitor.
Through dedicated space communicators and unique installations, the Discovery Centre has been contributing to stories of innovation, curiosity and technologies related to Australia and space.
It is a state-of-the-art facility that showcases interactive space exhibitions, a snapshot of Australia's space sector, and the country's only publicly viewable Mission Control Centre.
Did you know...By opening to the public on 5 May 2021, the Discovery Centre was commencing its space education role exactly 60 years after the first US astronaut, Alan Shepard, was launched into space!
~ Kerry Dougherty OAM, the Australian Space Agency’s space historian.
Highlights of the Discovery Centre, so far
Below are some of milestones and 'out-of-the-world' initiatives to inspire the next generation about space.
School programs and excursions
School programs and excursions
Over 12,000 school students have visited the Discovery Centre as part of the Schools in Space program.
Eat like an astronaut
Eat like an astronaut
To date, 4,696 Astronaut ice creams have been sold.
Originally created in the 1970s for NASA astronauts to eat in space, freeze dried ice-cream is still a hit over 40 years on!
Operation: Plants in Space
Operation: Plants in Space
A popular installation for visitors to learn more about what plants need to be able to thrive off-Earth.
Space Boomerang lands at Discovery Centre
Space Boomerang lands at Discovery Centre
The boomerang was created by renowned Indigenous artist Lewis Burns, a Talbragar-Wiradjuri man from Dubbo, NSW.
Mission Control workshop
Mission Control workshop
In partnership with the South Australian Parliament, the Discovery Centre is delivering a two-part Mission Control Workshop that combines Civics and STEM skills.
Resources
Plan your visit to the Discovery Centre, subscribe to its latest updates, and discover your career in space.
