Artemis II: Dawson Creek Museum Launches Immersive Exhibit Ahead of Historic Lunar Mission
Table of Contents
A new exhibit dedicated to the upcoming Artemis II mission – the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years – is set to open next week at the SpaceModel Museum in Dawson Creek, offering a unique glimpse into this landmark event.
The SpaceModel Museum, spearheaded by Nick Proach, is putting the finishing touches on the immersive display, featuring meticulously crafted scale models of the Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft. The exhibit aims to provide a tangible understanding of the scale and complexity of the mission, which will carry Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and three US crewmates on a journey around the moon and back.
A Return to the Moon: Artemis II’s Significance
Scheduled for launch on February 8, 2026, the Artemis II mission represents a pivotal moment in space exploration. According to Proach, “Apollo 13’s flight is the longest manned flight, and it appears Artemis II will break this record.” The mission is a 10-day flight designed to slingshot the crew more than 10,000 km beyond the far side of the moon.
The crew includes veteran astronaut Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch, alongside Hansen, who will become the first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The combined SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft represent the most powerful launch vehicle and advanced deep space spacecraft ever built, designed by Proach to be world-class in detail.
A Lifelong Passion Fuels Immersive Display
Proach’s dedication to space exploration is deeply personal. He began building models at the age of 11 and was already crafting spacecraft replicas during the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969. In 1971, he even created a model of the Lunar Rover prior to the Apollo 15 mission, which was subsequently used by the Canadian CTV network during their moon mission coverage.
His passion has extended beyond Earth’s atmosphere, with two of his models having journeyed to the International Space Station – one aboard a 2002 space shuttle and another on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 2008.
Community Hub for Artemis II Updates
The SpaceModel Museum will serve as a local hub for official NASA updates and reports throughout the Artemis II mission. “With a Canadian on board this historic flight, we want to give the community a way to truly visualize the scale and importance of the mission,” Proach explained.
The museum, located at 1125 102 Ave in downtown Dawson Creek, is open Tuesdays through Thursdays and showcases a comprehensive collection of spaceflight models and memorabilia, spanning from the early Mercury missions to the latest advancements from SpaceX. Proach currently traces the launch path and orbital trajectory of the Artemis II mission for visitors.
Expansion on the Horizon
Looking ahead, the SpaceModel Museum is planning a mid-summer expansion that will double its exhibit size and floor space, relocating the workshop area. This growth reflects the renewed interest in space exploration and the museum’s commitment to inspiring future generations.
Proach believes the return to the moon is just the beginning, laying the groundwork for even more ambitious missions – including eventual journeys to Mars. The museum’s dedication to charting the history of spaceflight, combined with its immersive exhibits, promises to keep the dream of space exploration alive for years to come.
Worth a look
