Space Lates - November
- 20th Nov 2026
- An inspiring evening
- Hands-on science activities
- Explore galleries after hours
- Space news and celebrations
- Limited tickets, exclusive access
This month's Space Lates is a celebration of Exploring Other Worlds - a chance to explore the wonders of science and space through hands-on activities, talks, discussions, stargazing, and the opportunity to wander our galleries after hours (not including the Rocket Tower and Tetrastar Spaceport)
With limited tickets available, this Space Lates offers an exclusive way to immerse yourself in science, creativity, and cosmic curiosity.
About Space Lates
This jam-packed evening is designed to allow you to choose and explore your top picks.
It's not expected that you'll be able to catch everything.
You are free to explore our galleries throughout the night.
Please note that on this occasion of Space Lates the Rocket Tower and Tetrastar Spaceport will NOT be open.
Hot food can be pre-ordered when purchasing your ticket.
Our café will be open throughout the evening.
Speakers
Head to the main stage to hear more about space science and missions past, present, and future. This is an opportunity to find out more, and ask questions.
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![Charley Feldman]()
A Lobster Eye View of Mercury
- Dr Charly Feldman, Postdoctoral Research Associate in X-ray Optics - University of Leicester
- Times - TBC
- Boosters / LIVE Space
The joint ESA/JAXA mission, BepiColombo has finally reached Mercury after 8 long years of travel. But why have we sent a lobster all that way? And what science do we hope to do now we are there?
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![Sarah Caswell]()
Peering into the Atmospheres of Extrasolar Planets
- Dr Sarah Casewell - STFC Ernest Rutherford Research Fellow and Lecturer, University of Leicester
- Times - TBC
- LIVE Space
Since 1995 we have discovered thousands of exoplanets, however these worlds look very different to our own solar system, often orbiting their star with periods of a few days. In this talk I will discuss our discoveries and the techniques we use to peer into the atmospheres of these planets to understand what they are made of.
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![Paul]()
My Life on ExoMars
- Paul Meacham, Lead Systems Engineer on ExoMars - Airbus
- 19:15 and 20:15
- Location - Boosters
This talk will provide a unique perspective on what it is like to work on a major project for ESA, over the course of 14 years. It will cover my experiences in the design, build and test of the ExoMars Rover, as well as the political decisions happening in the background.
Activities
Throughout the evening there will be a range of drop-in activities for you to take part in. Weather dependant we also work with Leicester Astronomical Society to host stargazing sessions, so there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.
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![Rover robot visits an underwater world in the immersive room]()
National Space Centre Mini Rovers
- Throughout the Night
- Our Universe
Join the Discovery team to operate our Lunar rovers and transport vital space minerals from one side of the Moon to the other!
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![The Smile Mission Pillars]()
ESA The SMILE mission, Soft X-ray Imager
- Throughout the Night
- Leicester in Space
Come talk to the engineers, scientists and space mission operations team behind a first-in-class X-ray telescope launched in June 2026
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![Micro Gravity Space Helicopters]()
Micro-Gravity Space Helicopters
- Throughout the Night
- Into Space
Join Greg Duffy, a passionate advocate for the space industry, a founding director of the first UK space fellowship – Prospero Space Fellowship, and an Assistant Headteacher in the East Midlands, to build and fly paper helicopters.
Stargazing with Leicester Astronomical Society
Meet the Leicester Astronomical Society to find out more about stargazing and to look through their telescopes. *weather permitting.
Drop-in (18:00-21:00), Car Park or Boosters if poor weather
Limited availability (first come, first served basis): Bring your own telescope along and members of the Leicester Astronomical Society will happily offer telescope setting-up advice.
Planetarium Show
The National Space Centre is also home to the UK's largest planetarium, so no session would be complete without a seat under the fulldome. Included in a Space Lates ticket will be a timed show.
Tour of the Night Sky (18:45/19:45)
Join us for an immersive journey through the wonders of the Universe. Your presenter will guide you through the current seasonal night sky before venturing into space for a unique perspective of Earth and distant celestial objects.
Space Lates FAQs
