Rocket Tower

Abstract

Since 2001 British rocket and space scientists have had a new meeting point. Their new research centre, the National Space Centre (NSC) designed by Nicholas Grimshaw S Partners, is located on the north bank of the River Soar in Leicester, in the disused stormwater tanks of the historic Abbey Pumping Station. The NSC brings together university institutes for teaching and research in the field of rocket technology and combines them with a planetarium, the Challenger Learning Centre and a museum of space travel. A conspicuous local landmark and the spectacular symbol of the centre is the transparent 10-storey tower situsted at the entrance to the complex and made from air-filled cushions.