Space Descent VR

Using breakthroughs in virtual production, experience what it feels like to sit inside the Soyuz Descent Module as it makes its journey back to earth.

Released : 2017

Runtime : 12 minutes

Format : 3D 360 Video

Visitors to London’s Science Museum join the UK’s first ESA astronaut Tim Peake in a virtual reality descent from the International Space Station to the steppes of Kazakhstan, in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft.

In this 12-minute 360 degree 3D state-of-the-art virtual reality experience, visitors are transported inside one of the most enduring spacecraft of the modern age. Using the very latest in VR technology, viewers experience what it feels like to sit inside the Soyuz’s descent module as it makes its journey back to earth, traveling at speeds of over 7,000kph and reaching temperatures of around 1600ºC.

Created and produced by Alchemy VR, the experience was commissioned to accompany the Science Museum Group’s landmark acquisition of the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for exhibition. The photo-realistic CG imagery is in such high resolution that it took 100 computers a 1 month to render the experience.

Recent awards

Museum and Heritage

Highly Commended

2018

Design Week Awards

Nomination

2017

VR Awards

Nomination

2017

Press

The graphics are superb – a thrilling and educational ride

Londonist

breath-taking… Science Museum visitors are going to experience something that truly is very close to the real thing!

Major Tim Peake

It looks like Atlantic Productions’ studio Alchemy VR might have another London museum hit on its hands

Wareable

breathtaking virtual reality experience

Daily Telegraph

Credits

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Anthony Geffen

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Mike Davis

DIRECTOR

Steve Gomez

WRITERS

Dr. Christopher Riley
Steve Gomez

ASSISTANT PRODUCER AND ADDITIONAL WRITING

Niall Hill

HEAD OF PRODUCTION

Ian Syder

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jessica Cook

PRODUCTION SECRETARY

Helen Osborne

SOUND DESIGN

Gabriella Scanio

VISUAL EFFECTS

Bandito

MOTION GRAPHICS

J.T. Child

ADDITIONAL MODELS AND TEXTURES

Johnny Jenkins

ADDITIONAL SOUND DESIGN

Celeste Bothwick

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Johnathan Newby

PROJECT LEAD

Mark Cutmore

VR UX CONSULTANT

Dave Patten

CURATOR

Doug Millard

THANKS TO

Tim Peake
European Space Agency
PAO RSC Energia

Atlantic Productions is one of the world’s leading factual production companies whose TV and theatrical films have been seen in over 150 countries.

Emmy-award winning Zoo are leaders in 4k VFX production and have a wealth of experience in stereoscopic production.

The multi award-winning Colossus Productions produce high-end 3D films for an international audience.