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Exploring the moon has been humankind's most incredible journey. From tomorrow (October 1) until March 31, 2007, the Hong Kong Space Museum will stage the latest Omnimax Show, "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon" where audiences can take the giant leap for themselves.
Written, produced and narrated by actor Tom Hanks, "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon" will transport audiences to the surface of the Moon to walk alongside the 12 extraordinary Apollo astronauts who have walked upon its surface.
The never before seen photographs, CGI renditions of the lunar landscape and previously unreleased NASA footage will be presented in the world's largest as well as most evocative motion picture format. Audiences will be immersed in the life-changing experiences of these astronauts by showcasing what they saw, heard, felt, thought and did while on the lunar surface.
From December 1968 to December 1972, nine flying machines navigated the quarter million miles between the home planet and the moon. The first men flew to the moon in July 1969, they landed in a flimsy-looking tin can and took their first steps watch by millions on television screens back on earth.
There were six of the Apollo missions which put 12 Astronauts on the moon, exploring roughly an area of the size of Africa. During each mission, the landing sites were selected after years of rigorous debate. The astronauts' main objective was to cover as much ground as possible and then come home safely.
The Apollo astronauts were mostly aviators and engineers. They had the discipline and the willingness to study and go where no man had gone before. Each Apollo crew spent over two years' training together to practice every phase of their upcoming lunar exploration.
Before exiting the spacecraft, the astronauts had to don the multi-million-dollar gear that made their survival possible while walking on the moon. Early prototypes of the suit attempted to address the conditions that the astronauts might face during their moon walks. Therefore, many different designs were put to the test. The space suit was so important that it was regarded as a "sophisticated spacecraft" to the astronauts. To ensure each trip was safe, the equipment had to be checked and tested many times. The whole process took about two hours.
In fact, lunar exploration began with precisely mapped treks of only a few hundred yards from the safety of the Lunar Module. During the early missions, the astronauts just walked and carried equipment and tools they needed by hand or put them in their pockets. With the final three Apollo missions came the ultimate in moon transportation, the Lunar Rover. It was an all-wheel drive, door-less and seat-belt equipped electric car. Besides walking on the moon, the astronauts also carried out a number of experiments to probe the mysteries of the moon.
The 40-minute Omnimax Show, "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon", will be screened daily at 3.50pm and 7.20pm at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. There will be an additional screening at 12.20pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Space Museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays). A programme change has been scheduled between November 15 and December 12. Please refer to the Space Museum's website for details.
Tickets are available at the Space Museum Box Office and at all URBTIX outlets for $24 (front stalls) and $32 (stalls). Full-time students, senior citizens and people with disabilities will receive a half-price concession.
The Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For further information, call 2721 0226 or visit the museum's website at http://hk.space.museum/.
Ends/Saturday, September 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:06
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