Astronaut Tim Peake sends special message to Blackpool

Astronaut Tim Peake has recorded an "out of this world" message which will be beamed onto buildings in Blackpool during this year's illuminations.

Published 31st Aug 2016

Astronaut Tim Peake has recorded an "out of this world" message which will be beamed onto Blackpool tower's buildings during this year's illuminations.

The British astronaut has recorded the message for one of three Lightpool shows - where 3D animations will be projected onto buildings across Blackpool.

It's part of this year's Blackpool Illuminations which gets underway on 2nd September.

Here's the teaser trailer of the Lightpool show which will feature Tim Peake:

Ross Ashton, Creative Director, and Karen Monid, Audio Designer, from The Projection Studio were commissioned last year to create two shows and this year have created “Chasing Stars” based on the pioneering work of European Space Agency (ESA).

“Chasing Stars” is an eight-minute galactic tour to entertain and inspire the next generation of astronauts and engineers.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is a fantastic coup for Blackpool. Each night during the Illuminations spectators can watch the Chasing Stars show and hear directly from Tim Peake.

“The whole country followed his adventures in space earlier this year and it is a great honour that the European Space Agency agreed to work with us on this spectacular show that is guaranteed to wow the crowds.”

Professor Mark McCaughrean, ESA’s Senior Science Advisor, said: “It's a huge pleasure to work with the iconic Blackpool Illuminations as a stage to present some of the most exciting space missions of European Space Agency, including Tim Peake's historic stay on the International Space Station, the Gaia spacecraft surveying our Milky Way galaxy, the ExoMars visits to the Red Planet, and of course the famous Rosetta mission, the first ever to rendezvous with, escort, and land on a comet.

“Our hope is that kids and adults alike will see this amazing show and be inspired to think of how they can go on to explore the world and Universe around them.”