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The Space gallery and the science museum is full of iconic objects, one of the most striking being the 1:1 model of Sputnik; the first ever artificial satellite launched in 1957 by the Soviet Union it heralded the beginning of the Space Age. There are also some displays showing the difference between American and Soviet Space technology using scale models of Spacecraft.

Unlike rockets, satellites do not need to be streamlined in shape, due to the lack of air and therefore air resistance in space. Their materials of construction differ from rockets, as they do not need to carry heavy fuel tanks. Instead they use solar energy to operate equipment on board, hence the solar panels that you can see on these exhibits.