National Science Centre to inaugurate VR theatre, space exhibition on January 17
New Delhi: The National Science Centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi will inaugurate a Virtual Reality theatre and open a space-themed exhibition on January 17, 2026, marking a major outreach initiative in science education.
The VR theatre will offer immersive learning experiences and will be inaugurated by D. K. Singh, Director of the Human Space Flight Centre at ISRO. The event will also feature the opening of a panel exhibition titled “From Earth to Orbit: Exploring Space Together,” which will be open to the public.
Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, Mission Pilot of the AXIOM-4 mission, will attend the programme as Guest of Honour. Dr. Rama Jayasunder, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the National Science Centre, will also be present during the inauguration.
Officials said the new facilities aimed to strengthen public engagement with space science. They said the initiative would support experiential learning and promote scientific curiosity among students and visitors.
VR theatre inauguration to feature astronaut interaction with students
As part of the VR theatre inauguration, the centre will host a “Meet the Astronaut” interactive session for nearly 400 school students. During the interaction, Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla will share his experiences of human spaceflight and international missions.
Officials said the session would highlight India’s growing role in space exploration and global scientific collaboration. Students will learn about life in space, challenges faced during missions, and future opportunities in the space sector.
Shukla, who served as Mission Pilot of AXIOM-4, conducted microgravity experiments with international crew members. Officials said his participation underscored India’s expanding presence in human spaceflight programmes.
The centre said the programme aimed to inspire young minds and foster scientific temper through direct engagement with experts and immersive technologies.
