About the experience
What can I expect from the event?
Starstruck is a 40-minute, shared virtual reality experience in which groups of up to six guests explore the cosmos together. Each participant wears a lightweight, wireless VR headset that presents a fully three-dimensional digital universe. As guests move freely within a physical room, the visuals respond naturally, creating the sensation of walking among the stars.
Guided by a virtual host named Astro, the journey begins at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory and travels to stars, exoplanets, the Pillars of Creation, and a black hole. Guests can see and interact with one another as digital avatars, reinforcing the shared, social nature of the experience. Built-in motion tracking and visual boundaries within the headset help ensure guests safety.
Starstruck was developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Fever, with Smithsonian Enterprises overseeing the collaboration. Content experts from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) provided scientific oversight throughout the development. Visuals and narratives are informed by data from NASA, the European Space Agency, the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and SAO research.
Where is the experience located?
The experience is located at Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Do I need a separate ticket to enter the Science Museum?
Yes. In addition to your paid ticket to Starstruck, you will need a free Science Museum admission ticket to enter the museum. We recommend reserving your museum admission ticket online in advance through this link. This helps ensure entry on the day of your visit, as museum admission tickets may become fully booked. Does the experience take place in an indoor or outdoor venue?
This experience is held indoors in an air-conditioned venue.
How long does the experience last?
The core experience lasts approximately 40 minutes. Guests should plan for additional time for check‑in, orientation, and headset fitting.
How many people can take part in the experience in the same group?
A group is made up of 6 visitors, additional groups can depart approximately every three minutes.
Will food and beverage be available on site for purchase?
Within the Science Museum there are three cafés, a milkshake/ice cream bar and picnic areas. These are located across levels 0-3. We ask that food and beverage be consumed pre- or post-experience as no liquids are allowed inside the VR arena.
Will there be merchandise for sale?
Yes. There will be merchandise for sale at the shop.
Is there parking available?
The venue does not have private parking. A small number of accessible parking spaces are available on Exhibition Road. Blue Badge holders may park in these spaces for four hours between 08.30 and 18.30. These spaces are controlled by the council rather than the museum and cannot be booked in advance. For more information, please see the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s website. Is there Virtual Reality?
Yes, the experience uses wireless, free-roam VR headsets with real-time motion tracking. Guests’ physical movements, gestures, and positioning are mirrored in the virtual environment, enabling natural, intuitive exploration. The system supports shared experiences with up to six participants, and includes interactive elements that allow guests to engage directly with the environment and narrative.
Is there a dress code?
We recommend dressing comfortably and wearing suitable shoes. Please refrain from wearing hats or caps because you will wear a VR headset.
For everyone's safety, we kindly ask you to store your backpacks and handbags in the lockers provided on site.
Can I drop off my children?
All children (ages 10 - 17) must be accompanied by an adult.
What is the recommended age for children to attend?
Due to the fit of the headset and for the safety of all participants, children aged 10+ are welcome.
Are lockers or a coat check available?
Yes, there are lockers available on site to store your belongings, including light coats. These lockers are provided free of charge.
Is there a bag policy?
For everyone's safety, we kindly ask you to store all backpacks and handbags in the lockers provided on site. Personal backpacks (even small ones) are not permitted during the experience.
About tickets
Can I purchase tickets at the door?
We have a box office on site. We highly recommend booking tickets in advance in order to guarantee a spot. You can purchase tickets in the Fever App or on the Fever website. Can I transfer my tickets to another person?
You can transfer your tickets to anyone for free. Select "Transfer Tickets"on your ticket in the Fever App. Please contact us if you need additional help. Make sure to include your ticket order number.
Do I need to print my ticket?
You can find your ticket in the "Tickets" section of the Fever app (you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play). Please remember to log in with the same login method used to make the purchase. You will also find your QR code in your purchase confirmation email. I can't find my ticket. What should I do?
You can view your ticket in the Fever app, within the Tickets section. If you don't have the app installed, you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Remember to log in using the same account that you used when buying the tickets. If you still cannot find your ticket, please contact us. Can I change the date of my ticket?
This experience allows date changes up to 48 hours in advance. If you would like to make the change, please contact us and include the ticket ID associated with your purchase. You can also check if this option is available by consulting your ticket in the "Tickets" section of the Fever App where, if enabled, the "Change date and/or time" button will appear. Follow the steps indicated in the link to change the date and/or time of the ticket. For more information, you can consult our T&Cs.
Can I make a group booking?
Yes, for groups of 21 or more people, contact us here to receive a personalized proposal. Do you offer press passes?
If you would like a press pass, please email press@feverup.com.
All press inquiries about Smithsonian should be directed to the Smithsonian Office of Public Affairs. Reporters can email: smithsonianmedia@si.edu
About access to the event
When should I arrive for my scheduled session?
It is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes before the time stated on your ticket. If you miss your check-in time, you should speak to a staff member when you arrive for assistance. We will accommodate you as soon as possible.
What are the closest stations? What's the best public transportation?
There are several Underground and bus stations near the Science Museum.
Closest Underground Stations:
South Kensington station (~5-minute walk) – Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines.
Gloucester Road station (~12-minute walk) – Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines.
There are also many bus routes serving the area, including routes along Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road.
For detailed routes and updated service schedules, you can refer to the official Transport for London journey planner Can I bring animals? Are service dogs allowed?
Trained service animals that perform tasks related to their handler’s disability are permitted inside the venue. Pets and other non-service animals are not allowed.
Service animals are welcome; however, it is recommended that they do not accompany guests inside the VR play area while headsets are in use. Because participants cannot see their physical surroundings during the experience, this may create a safety risk for guests, service animals, and others nearby.
To help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, we offer the following accommodation:
Companion Ticket: Guests traveling with a service animal may request a complimentary companion ticket on-site. The companion will accompany you and your service animal within the VR arena to help supervise and keep the animal safely nearby during the experience. The companion will not wear a VR headset.
Our team is happy to work with you to plan the best option for your visit.
Is the venue accessible?
The event is held in an accessible venue and includes accessible entrances and exits, restrooms, point of sales, seating areas, and accessible routes throughout the space.
Is the experience accessible for people with reduced mobility?
The experience is fully accessible for guests with reduced mobility. For step free routes across the museum, please check the museum map or ask a staff member. The majority of lifts have audio announcements and Braille labelling on the buttons.We recommend confirming accessible parking availability in advance.
Can virtual reality be uncomfortable or unsuitable for some guests?
Virtual reality is designed to be immersive and enjoyable, but some individuals may experience discomfort while using a VR headset. The experience may not be suitable for guests with claustrophobia or vertigo.
Guests prone to motion sickness may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness during or after the experience.
Can guests with heart conditions or epilepsy participate?
We strongly recommend that guests with heart conditions, epilepsy, or seizure-related conditions consult a physician before participating. Immersive virtual reality experiences may increase the risk of adverse health effects for some individuals.
Can guests with heart conditions or epilepsy participate?
Some individuals may be more susceptible to dizziness or fainting during pregnancy, and the experience takes place on a hard walking surface throughout. For these reasons, we do not generally recommend the experience for pregnant guests.
The VR content itself is not known to cause harm during pregnancy. Guests who choose to participate while pregnant should consult their doctor beforehand.
Can I participate while carrying a baby or using a stroller?
No. Because the VR headset blocks visibility of the surrounding environment, the experience is not compatible with baby carriers or strollers.
If you are attending as part of a group, our staff can help stagger entry times so that a guardian remains with the child at all times.
What are the prohibited items at the experience?
Anything which may disturb the other visitors such as flash photography or alcohol are not allowed in the experience. For the safety of all guests, firearms, knives, mace, or any item that could be used to inflict harm are prohibited in our venues. Firearms are not allowed despite carry permits or licenses, including for off-duty law enforcement.
Do you offer companion tickets?
Guests who require assistance throughout the experience may request one complimentary ticket for a personal assistant, caregiver, or support worker at the venue entrance.
Is the experience accessible for guests who are deaf, blind, or have other disabilities?
Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Office of Visitor Accessibility, the experience includes a range of accessibility features, including:
● Closed captions
● Visual descriptions
● Wheelchair-optimized viewing modes
● Assistive listening devices
● Trained staff support
● Complimentary companion tickets
For guests who are blind or have low vision, we recommend attending with a companion or guide. Complimentary companion tickets are available for guests who require assistance during the experience.
Is it possible to wear eyeglasses?
Yes. Staff are on hand to show guests how to position the headset correctly.
Note to any visitors wearing prescription glasses: we advise using standard, single focus glasses, as other types such as varifocals may lower the overall viewing experience.
I wear hearing aids. Can I still participate?
Yes. The VR headset uses small speakers that emit sound over the ears, allowing many guests with hearing aids to comfortably hear the experience audio.
Guests may also request a neck loop with T-coil compatibility, available on-site, for a wireless connection to compatible hearing aids.
Will there be strobe lights?
No. This experience does not include strobe lighting effects.
Are there chairs available? Can I remain seated during the experience?
The default experience is designed as a walkthrough experience and does not include seating within the virtual environment. The expedition is optimized to ensure that individuals using wheeled mobility devices can use their devices throughout the experience. Mobility aids (such as wheelchairs) are available free of charge, subject to availability. If you would prefer a fully seated experience, we are happy to accommodate this request on-site. Benches are available in the lobby before and after the experience for your comfort. If at any point during the experience you would like to pause or take a break, simply raise your hand and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
Do you offer a guided or audio-guided visit?
The experience includes a built-in virtual reality guide named Astro, an interactive avatar companion, who accompanies you throughout the journey. Our staff members are also always available on-site to assist with any questions or needs during your visit.
For guests who require additional support, a visual description feature is available. This option provides on-screen text describing the surrounding environment and key visual moments throughout the experience.
Does the experience accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids?
Yes. During headset setup, guests can select either a “Wheelchair” or “Extra Space” option to personalize the experience for their mobility needs. The “Wheelchair” option optimizes the experience for seated viewing. The “Extra Space” option provides additional room around a guest’s avatar to accommodate mobility aids such as canes, walkers, crutches, and similar devices.
Will restrooms be available on site?
Restrooms are available within the venue for your convenience. Please ask our staff if you are unable to locate them.
Can I take photos or record the experience?
We invite guests to take photos and videos for personal use only and tag us at @starstruckexperience / @fever_uk. Please note, the use of flashes and tripods are strictly prohibited. Press photography (and any other photography for professional use) must be authorized by a staff member.
Is there a Lost & Found?
Please ask the staff if you have misplaced your belongings as soon as possible or contact us. 
3D walkthrough 
Grounded in
Made for All 
