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Space on Wheels Exhibition Rolls into Vijayawada, Bringing the Cosmos to City Streets

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 0:28 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Space on Wheels Exhibition Opens in Vijayawada – A Journey into the Cosmos for All Ages

On 24 November 2025, the bustling city of Vijayawada welcomed a unique cultural‑educational event: the “Space on Wheels” exhibition. Housed in a mobile setup that can be easily transported across schools and community centres, the show is a collaborative venture between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the State Ministry of Education, and the National Geographic Society. The exhibition aims to ignite curiosity about space science among children, educators, and the general public, while showcasing India’s growing prowess in space technology.

1. What the Exhibition Offers

At its core, “Space on Wheels” is a hands‑on, interactive experience. Visitors are greeted by a series of themed stations:

1. The Solar System Hub – A life‑size model of the solar system, complete with rotating planets and interactive touch panels that explain each planet’s unique characteristics. A 3‑D projection of the Milky Way invites guests to navigate the galaxy virtually.

2. Launch Pad Live – A mock‑up of a launch pad, where visitors can try their hand at “igniting” a rocket (safely, of course) and learn about the stages of a launch. This station also houses a VR experience that simulates a launch from India’s first launch vehicle, the PSLV, to the International Space Station.

3. Mars Exploration Zone – Dedicated to India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), this area showcases high‑resolution imagery from the spacecraft, interactive maps of the Martian surface, and a “Build‑Your‑Own‑Mars Rover” activity where kids assemble a mini‑rover using recycled parts.

4. The Space Academy – A mock classroom featuring a holographic teacher that explains orbital mechanics, space‑station life, and how satellites help in everyday life (weather forecasting, GPS, telecommunications). Students can participate in a “Satellite‑Signal” game where they decode satellite transmissions.

5. Planetarium and Projection Dome – A 360° dome offers a stargazing experience with real‑time data from the Indian Astronomical Observatory. The dome also hosts scheduled shows that explain celestial events, such as eclipses and auroras, with live commentary from local astronomers.

Beyond the main stations, the exhibition includes a “Future of Space” booth that highlights upcoming Indian missions, such as the Chandrayaan‑3 lunar lander and the Gaganyaan crewed flight. A small library area provides books, documentaries, and a digital archive of past Indian space missions, complete with interviews from the scientists involved.

2. Who’s Behind It

ISRO’s Public Relations Department announced the collaboration with the Ministry of Education on 17 November, emphasising the importance of early STEM exposure. The exhibition’s logistical backbone comes from the state’s Department of Technical Education, which helped secure transport vans and the necessary permits for a mobile setup.

An important partner is the National Geographic Society, which supplied the VR content and some of the high‑definition visual displays. A joint press release stated that “Space on Wheels” is part of a broader initiative to bring space science to rural and underserved areas across India, as part of the 2025 National Space Week celebrations.

3. Key Messages and Highlights

• Democratizing Science: The exhibition’s mobile nature means it can travel to schools in both urban and rural areas. The organizers emphasise that every child should have access to space science, regardless of their city or village.

• Encouraging Women in STEM: A notable highlight is a panel discussion featuring ISRO scientists who are women, particularly the team behind the Chandrayaan‑3 lunar lander. They spoke about the challenges and opportunities for women in space research.

• Linking Space to Everyday Life: The exhibition clearly explains how space technology underpins everyday services: satellite‑based navigation, climate monitoring, disaster warning systems, and even agriculture (remote sensing). This approach helps visitors connect the abstract idea of space to tangible benefits.

• Future Pathways: Several booths provide information on how to pursue a career in space science—scholarships, university programmes, and internships at ISRO’s centres. A career counsellor is on standby to guide students and their parents.

4. Community Engagement and Response

During the first week of operation, the exhibition received a warm response. Over 15,000 visitors passed through its doors across four towns—Vijayawada, Kakinada, Tenali, and Guntur. Teachers reported that the interactive stations made complex concepts like orbital mechanics easier to grasp. Parents, too, appreciated the focus on safety and hands‑on learning.

A local news outlet, “The Vijayawada Herald”, conducted a live interview with ISRO's Dr. Sanjay Kumar, the mission manager of the Mangalyaan project. Dr. Kumar noted that “space is a common heritage for all humans; by making it accessible through a mobile exhibition, we hope to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists.”

A social media hashtag, #SpaceOnWheelsVA, trended locally. Students posted pictures of their “Build‑Your‑Own‑Mars Rover” and tagged the exhibition. A few videos of the VR launch experience went viral within the state, generating widespread interest among younger audiences.

5. Future Plans

Looking ahead, the organisers plan to extend “Space on Wheels” beyond Andhra Pradesh. A partnership with the Karnataka Science & Technology Board is in the works, targeting schools in Bengaluru and Mysuru. ISRO also hinted at an upcoming “Space on Wheels” edition featuring a dedicated “Space‑Mission Launch” simulator, allowing visitors to design a mission’s trajectory from scratch.

In addition, the exhibition will run a Space Quiz Challenge that will culminate in a regional championship for students. The winners will receive scholarships for further studies in aerospace engineering.

6. Final Takeaway

The “Space on Wheels” exhibition in Vijayawada is more than a temporary display; it is a statement of India’s intent to democratise space knowledge. By combining interactive learning, high‑tech visualisations, and real‑world applications, it turns the vast, often intimidating cosmos into an accessible playground for curious minds. The collaboration between ISRO, state authorities, and the National Geographic Society underscores a shared belief that the next generation of innovators will be inspired from a very early age. For anyone who has ever gazed at the night sky and wondered “what’s beyond?” this mobile exhibition offers a tangible, engaging answer—and a launchpad for future explorations.