Toulouse. The Cité de l’espace unveils its new lunar simulator, a first in Europe
Through Gwendal Thoraval
Published on
Feel the sensations of taking off for the moon. This is the promise that the new equipment of the Space City : the simulator MoonXplore. Unique in Europe, the works for its installation will soon start for an opening of the installation in July 2023.
A unique experience in Europe and soon in Toulouse
Produced by immersion professionals and in particular people from Futuroscope, the LuneXplorer experience is full of promise. Of a period of 30 minutes, the experience is intended to be total. Preparation of the astronaut, discovery of the mission, verification of the safety rules then take-off, it will be possible tostep into the shoes of a real astronaut en route to the Moon.
Divided into three 10-minute periods, the total take-off and landing time will last between 4 and 5 minutes. During this “flight” in a large centrifuge, visitors will collect between 2 and 2.5 G of power. Note that real astronauts are subjected to a power of up to 4 G during their missions. A debrief is then organized to share the resentments.
A real immersion which will allow you to resist accelerations and decelerations causing a feeling of lightness without being weightless. A new facility that is in line with the continuity of the Cité de l’Espace and its interest in the moon. Between the reproductions ofApollo 11the lunar rover models and the “Moon 2, we’re going back” exhibition, LuneXplorer is nothing more or less than a new (moon)stone in the building of this great collection.
A real showcase for the Cité de l’Espace and the Pink City
“Boosting the attractiveness of the place”. It is in these terms that Jean-Luc Moudencmayor of Toulouse and present as President of the Métropole, describes the effect expected from the implementation of this new equipment. In a city ahead in the spatial field and which concentrates 25% of European jobs in the sector, the Region, the Metropolis and the Cité de l’Espace aim to attract people to Toulouse.
With this new equipment, the Cité de l’Espace hopes attract 30,000 to 40,000 people more over the year. More visitors who logically participate in the economy of the pink city.
Reviving the economy of the Cité de l’Espace
Like all places that welcome the public, the Cité de l’Espace has been strongly impacted by the health crisis. But since last year the attendances of the place are distributed on the rise. John Baptist DesboisManaging Director of SEMECCEL – Cité de l’Espace and L’Envol des Pionniers, explains some figures: “Since 2014, we have been around 400,000 visits per year. Afterwards, 2019 and 2020 were dark years, but we were able to bounce back last year with 260,000 visits, and more visitors over the period from May 19 to December 31 than over the whole of 2019, so it is encouraged. »
In addition, this pandemic period with the “closure” of borders has greatly impacted the place. Indeed, in normal times, foreign visitors represent 25% of attendance at the Cité de l’Espace and the Envol des Pionniers.
Funding divided into three
Cost of this new equipment, unique in Europe: €11.8 million. A sum brought together by three players at the heart of a very solid partnership. Toulouse Metropolis first of all who bears 40% of this expense, just like theEuropean Union with its ERDF React EU recovery plan. The remaining 20% is financed by the Region.
So many actors who believed in this project so that the LuneXplorer is in line with the line and the goal sought by La Cité de l’espace: develop scientific culture and discover knowledge, but always in a fun way.
Of course, a return on investment is expected but at present, it is joy that predominates as explained Thierry CotelleRegional Councilor present at the conference to represent Carole Delga “We are very happy to finance this highly anticipated equipment. It is an element of diffusion and influence for Toulouse across Europe, especially since space makes you dream. »
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