The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Major Tim’s cathedral show is ...
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Tim Peake said he hoped his spacecraft could inspire a generation as he opened a spectacular exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral.
Major Peake was the guest of honour at the cathedral on Friday night as the display, featuring the capsule that took him to space - and back to Earth, the capsule’s parachute and his own space suit were revealed in the 900 year old building. Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, he said the contrast shown between science and religion in the exhibition would give visitors the chance to reflect on the future of planet Earth.
He said: “A lot of people associate religion and science together, that is why I think it is wonderful to see a capsule like this here. It encourages people to think about things, whether you are religious or not religious, and to think about the creation of the universe and our part in it, where we are going with science, technology and engineering in the future, and our moral obligation to humanity to protect our planet - all those questions. It is a place where you can reflect on what we are doing and why we are doing it.”
The exhibition came to Peterborough after the cathedral won a national competition to host the capsule during a nationwide tour.
Major Peake said he hoped the exhibition would provide inspiration to all who go along to see the display, and gave an insight into the punishing journey the craft went through as it travelled into the heavens and back.
He said: “I think the purpose of this tour is to enable people to get up close to something that has really been in space, that has been through the punishment of a launch, spent six months orbiting the earth, doing more than 6000 orbits. It has gone through thermal extremes, it has had the radiation, it has had the micro meteorites, and it has had the punishment, you can see the scorch marks of a return, a re-entry to our atmosphere - so for people to be able to come and look at it and see what it is we are building, what we are doing in space, why we are doing it, is very inspiring.
“It is great because it helps us to educate our younger generations about science and technology, and why it is important and why it can play a real part in today’s world.”
Major Peake said the Soyuz capsule remained very special for him - but Peterborough Cathedral was one of the most spectacular places he had ever seen the ship in. He said: “I’ve followed it on a national tour of the UK in several locations, but to see it in Peterborough Cathedral, it is absolutely stunning. I think it is a wonderful contrast of the past and the present, but both (the Soyuz and the cathedral) are cutting edge technology of their time. “It makes you think about what will be around in 900 years time, what innovations will we have developed then that will seem to us absolutely incredible. It is magnificent to see something like this in a place like Peterborough Cathedral.
“One of the most special memories is just sat on top of the rocket prior to launch - you actually have about an hour and a half sat in your seat prior to launch and an awful lot of time to just think about where you are, what you are doing, and the journey that is about to come, so when I see my seat there I imagine myself sat there on the launchpad waiting for that journey into space, it was a very special moment.”
The Dean of Peterborough, the Very Rev Chris Dalliston, said the exhibition showed
how science and religion could work together.
He said: “This scientific piece of equipment in this great religious building, shows we can work together to really help us to interpret what it means to be a human being, in a really creative and rich way. It is a dialogue, not an argument, both (science and religion) have their own interpretation and complimentary understandings of what it means to be an inhabitant of the universe, and I think it is marvellous we can host this here, and ask all those questions.”
Ian Blatchford, director of the Science Museum in London who have put on the exhibition, said he hoped all members of the community would be inspired by the exhibition.
He said: “I think the display here is particularly joyful. It is very witty, and really magnificent. The cathedral itself is so glorious, but the combination of the space craft and the 900 year old cathedral is pure Hollywood. Actually, its magnificent. “When the mission was launched originally, we had an event in London to watch, and something like 4,000 school children came, I knew at that stage, the UK space Agency had done a remarkable job with their education programme to make sure it reached the whole country.
“Everywhere I have been he (Tim Peake) is so famous, because the idea of space is one of those subjects that all children love. But it is not just about the children, the children come with their families, and their teachers - it is a whole family group, and a whole community that will be engaged by this.”