From mid-century fashion and flying saucer societies to early satellites and rocket playgrounds, the 20th century space race captured the imagination of Australia and its people.

A new National Archives of Australia exhibition looks back on those exciting days to examine the nation’s response to space research and exploration from the 1950s to the 1970s.    

Out of This World: Australia in the space age opens its doors at the National Archives’ National Office in Parkes today.

National Archives Director-General, David Fricker said the exhibition tells a diverse range of stories, all connected by our nation’s desire to understand space.

‘Celebrating Australia’s involvement in the space race, Out of This World has something for everyone, from cutting edge scientific research to space-age toys, design, television and much more’, he said.

Central to the exhibition are four tiny moon rocks, collected by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during their historic Moonwalk in July 1969.’

Learn about the history of Woomera Rocket Range and Australia’s important role in tracking the Apollo missions. See how futuristic ideas influenced the architecture of Australia's Expo pavilion in 1970 and meet everyone's favourite puppet, Mr Squiggle - 'the man from the Moon'.

Out of This World will be on show at the National Archives in Canberra until 14 March 2021, then will tour nationally. Admission is free.

For your safety, bookings for timed sessions are required. Please visit our website to arrange your booking.

Available for interview

• David Fricker, Director-General, National Archives of Australia
• Catriona Donnelly, Curator, National Archives of Australia