From Ancient Astronomy to Gaganyaan: Bhopal’s New Space Gallery Takes Visitors on a Cosmic Journey

Ever wondered what mysterious sounds echo through space, or imagined what it would feel like to walk on the rugged surfaces of the Moon or Mars? Visitors no longer need to travel to ISRO or NASA for such experiences — Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, now has a window into outer space of its own.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav jointly inaugurated the state's first state-of-the-art "Hall of Space Exploration" gallery at the Regional Science Centre.

From ancient astronomy to Gaganyaan

Built at a cost of ₹1 crore, the gallery is far more than a display of modern machinery — it charts a living narrative of India's illustrious space journey. Replacing the 17-year-old Energy Gallery, the new 4,000-square-foot digital space hub traces the country's astronomical heritage, from ancient knowledge traditions through Aryabhata and Chandrayaan, right up to the forthcoming Gaganyaan mission.

3D screens and flight simulator thrills

The gallery's standout feature is its interactivity. Students and space enthusiasts visiting the centre won't just read about planets and black holes — they'll be able to pilot a virtual spacecraft using a flight simulator and experience a 3D virtual spacewalk.

Highlights of the gallery

• A blend of cutting-edge technology: The fully digital gallery houses four special digital zones and 15 interactive working models that explain the origins of the universe and the movement of planets in an accessible way.
• Major overhaul after 18 years: The space that once housed the Energy Gallery, built 18 years ago, has now been reimagined with fresh thinking and modern technology as the Hall of Space Exploration.
• A unique "sound in space" experience: A dedicated "Sound in Space" feature uses special sound effects and audio-visual projection to let visitors experience what space actually sounds like.
• National-level collaboration: The gallery has been developed by the National Council of Science Museums, with significant technical support from Mumbai's renowned Nehru Science Centre.