The BepiColombo ‘model’: looking beyond the ‘original’
Name
2023-11-16_TheBepiColombo_model_AMacKinnon_FINAL.pdf
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726.03 KB
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Adobe PDF
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Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
MacKinnon, Abigail
Date published
March 30, 2022
Abstract
This paper examines the role that models and replicas typically play in aerospace museums, which is to use them as references for the original or final product. Using the BepiColombo Structural Thermal Model currently on display at the Science Museum as well as other models in the Exploring Space gallery as examples, this paper argues that looking at models as objects in their own right offers more diverse and inspiring narratives for visitors. It presents opportunities to showcase the complex development process for space technology, uncovers surprising stories, and helps to debunk the traditional narrative of progress and advancement that science and technology museums often adopt. BepiColombo is a joint mission to Mercury developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Journal title
Science Museum Group Journal
Issue
17
Publisher
Science Museum Group
eISSN
2054-5770
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Rights statement
In Copyright
Keywords