Shanghai Space Exhibition Gives History of ExplorationNeed something cool to make the summer heat more bearable? Here it comes...the Modern World Space Aviation Technology and Culture Exhibition, which runs for two months in Zhongshan Park from July 10.The exhibition is a visual sensation : instead of miniatures, the exhibits are all either real or life size replicas. They record the history of man's exploration of space. The highlights of the exhibition include the US space shuttle Discovery, lunar module Apollo, China's Long March rocket, and a replica of the Russian space platform. "It is the first time China has held such a big event on space and aviation technology," said organizer Wang Zuchun. The exhibition, which is on its third leg of a world tour after having visited the United States in 1999 and Singapore in 2000, will offer much more than just things to look at. "We have invited the legendary American astronaut Richard Mike Mullane to our event, and visitors will get a chance to talk with him in person," Wang said. Once a flight mission specialist, Mullane has flown into outer space three times during his time with America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The large 25,000-square-metre exhibition hall has been divided into several zones, the themes of which include the moon, Mars, China's involvement in space and aviation, and a space training camp. In the lunar zone, people can watch videos about how astronauts landed on the moon and see a real lunar lander, a lunar landrover, a Russian space station and a space suit. China's achievements in space are evidenced by the 45-metre-long Long March rocket carrier and both the Fengyun-1 and the Fengyun-2 satellites. After passing through a thrilling time tunnel, visitors are then able to undertake a mission to Mars in the Mars zone. Visitors will also be able to experience a simulation of the launching of a space shuttle and get hands-on astronaut training in the space camp and games area. For further entertainment there are activities such as a space quiz show and photo contests, which are designed to attract children and teenagers. With entry charges ranging from 100 yuan (US$12) to 120 yuan (US$14), the exhibition is expected to draw more than one million visitors, mostly children and teenagers, especially due to the fact that it overlaps with schools' summer holidays, which are from July 1 and August 31. |
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