Ground Control to Major Tom: The Franklin Institute takes you to the edges of the universe — and your imagination — with an immersive new space exhibit.
The massive, all-ages core exhibit, Wondrous Space, invites you to peer into the future and explore outer space through interactive displays, immersive simulations, innovative new technologies and cosmic artifacts.
Installations explore topics ranging from space careers to the search for habitable worlds.
The new Wondrous Space exhibit at The Franklin Institute opens on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Wondrous Space lower level
— Rendering courtesy MDSX
Wondrous Space spans 7,500 square feet between the Fels Planetarium and the Holt & Miller Observatory and comprises two distinct experiences across two floors.
The lower level immerses you in the vastness of space with hands-on simulations that let you witness celestial phenomena and manipulate natural forces. One of the interactive stations, Rover Design, lets you design and test out your very own space rover.
The upper level takes a broader look at the galaxy by focusing on the future of life in space and some of the universe’s most intriguing questions. The floor also showcases the latest tools and techniques, the rising stars of the aerospace industry, careers in space exploration, and various space-related artifacts (including two lunar rovers and a 10-foot-long rocket engine).
Wondrous Space upper level
— Rendering courtesy MDSX
The Franklin Institute is complementing the launch of this (inter)stellar exhibit with a series of space-related public programming, including The Curious Cosmos with Derrick Pitts podcast, the unveiling of the touring art piece Mars by Luke Jerram (November 2-19, 2023) and the reopening of the repaired Holt & Miller Observatory (November 4, 2023).
Wondrous Space is the first of six planned thematic exhibits at The Franklin Institute. Future exhibits will explore topics like the human body, earth systems and robotics.
For more on Wondrous Space, keep an eye on The Franklin Institute’s official webpage below.
