Sci-fi aerospace exhibition opens in Beijing with immersive space exploration

The global premiere of a new aerospace sci-fi exhibition opened Saturday in Beijing, using advanced extended reality technology to offer visitors an immersive journey through space exploration.

Titled "Project X: Interstellar Friendship Initiative," the exhibition features a sci-fi live-action interactive zone based on an original space rescue story set in 2350. It recreates scenes such as a battle command center and a training center while offering interactive activities including preflight theoretical learning and simulated space storm experiences. Visitors can explore the mysterious universe within a 2,000-square-meter exhibition area.

Zhang Herui, curator and lead creator of the exhibition, said the event aims to "create an aerospace story tailored for Chinese children, encompassing not only rockets and spacecraft but also concrete manifestations of China's manned spaceflight spirit — friendship, choice, responsibility, hope and even growth through failure."

Xu Runze, a staff member at the exhibition, said there is a storm experience capsule where visitors can stand in the center and feel mild wind for 50 seconds, simulating conditions in space. Xu also highlighted interactive games such as catching small hedgehogs and mining, which he described as engaging for visitors.

The exhibition features a 1,200-square-meter virtual reality experience zone that enables visitors to "genuinely sense the vastness of the universe with a broad perspective and a realistic artistic style," according to a visitor surnamed Cheng. She said the story of people coming together to rescue the protagonist while traversing a dangerous location left a deep impression on her, highlighting a strong bond of friendship and the thrill of the experience.

The exhibition's gamified approach to science education has attracted many children. Zheng Xinrui, a fourth-grade student in Beijing and a Mars enthusiast, said she was excited by the section on Mars-related information and enjoyed the interactive display of Mars facts that appeared with a touch on the screen.

Wu Jie, a retired astronaut, said the exhibition represents a new way of enlightening children about space by using immersive, digital and entertaining methods, aiming to foster a passion for aerospace exploration in young minds.

The exhibition is expected to develop into a full-chain project, extending to films, education, derivatives, study tour parks and artificial intelligence web dramas. With support from the China Aerospace Foundation, parts of the exhibition will also be introduced in a modular form to remote mountainous areas and rural schools, bringing the imagination of the future to more children, Zhang said.

The exhibition, held at the China Science and Technology Museum, will run through September.