The Moonwalkers
A Giant Leap for Immersive Storytelling at Space Center Houston
Featured Capabilities
- Projection Mapping
- High-Resolution Media Server System
- Automated Alignment System
- 4k Production Workflows
- Immersive Audio Systems
- Show Controls Programming
Client Story
Moonwalkers: Space Center Houston
Inside Space Center Houston’s 500-seat theater, the lights dim, and the audience is transported—immersed in Moonwalkers, a groundbreaking cinematic experience. Created in partnership with Lightroom and 59 Studio, Moonwalkers puts viewers at the heart of the Apollo missions. A custom-built 215-foot wraparound screen, high-resolution projection, and cinematic surround sound bring the historic journey to life. Narrated by Tom Hanks, this film offers a stunning retelling of one of humanity’s greatest achievements in space exploration.
THE PROJECT MISSION AND CHALLENGES
Bringing Moonwalkers to life required the seamless integration of expertise, precision, and partnership. Quince worked alongside Lightroom for nearly two years to identify the ideal venue for Moonwalkers’ U.S. debut. When Space Center Houston emerged as the perfect fit, Quince was tasked with designing and implementing a state-of-the-art projection mapping and audio system that could meet Lightroom’s demanding standards while integrating seamlessly into the museum’s multi-use theater space.
The contribution of Quince has been essential in making it happen in Houston, and I’m pleased with the outcome,” said James Roxburgh, Technical Director at Lightroom.
One of the biggest challenges was upgrading the theater’s IMAX system to support both the immersive Moonwalkers film and existing large-format screenings — all within a tight four-month timeline. The Quince team handled complex technical and integration demands, delivering a system that performed flawlessly and transitioned seamlessly between different theater experiences.
TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE
At the heart of the Moonwalkers experience is a meticulously engineered projection system. Quince Imaging deployed a fleet of Panasonic PTRQ-35KU and PTRQ-25KU projectors, delivering stunning 60-million-pixel resolution visuals. A custom-designed, 7-channel Scalable Automatic Calibration System ensured flawless image alignment, while five Qlab Media Servers powered high-resolution playback, creating a truly immersive storytelling environment.
But visuals were only part of the equation. The soundscape was equally crucial, requiring the team to design an audio system capable of replicating a rocket launch’s deep, resonant vibrations. This challenge played to Quince Imaging’s strengths—especially lead engineer Keith Price, who had direct experience simulating rocket launch acoustics. His expertise was instrumental in designing a specialized subwoofer array using JBL VTX B28 speakers, delivering an earth-shaking low-frequency experience at 141dB from 20Hz to 80Hz.
To unify the entire system, Quince implemented a sophisticated Q-SYS control platform, allowing seamless transitions between Moonwalkers, cinematic presentations, and live events with minimal staff intervention. Integrating Blackmagic’s ATEM Constellation 8K added further flexibility, ensuring the theater remained a fully functional multi-purpose venue.
Things are looking good, and initial audiences are loving it. Thank you for all your hard work on this, said Jeff Wyatt, Space Center Houston.
A project of this scale requires strong partnerships. Quince Imaging collaborated with established SCH service partner Generations AV to fabricate the custom screen structure, while Space Center Houston’s in-house engineering team provided crucial facility upgrades. Every aspect of the project was executed precisely, ensuring that Moonwalkers would meet and exceed expectations.
IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
For Quince Imaging, the most fulfilling aspect of this endeavor was the opportunity to contribute to a world-renowned space exploration institution. Space Center Houston stands as a testament to human ingenuity and achievement, and the Moonwalkers film adds a new dimension to its offerings—blending the rich history of the Apollo program, science, and cutting-edge immersive technology to captivate and educate audiences.
As visitors step out of the theater and into the museum, they are greeted by artifacts of real space missions, a seamless connection between the digital and the tangible. Seeing a real F1 engine and the mighty Saturn V rocket after experiencing the Moonwalkers show bridges the past and future of space exploration in an unforgettable way.
With the Moonwalkers now a shining addition to Space Center Houston, this project is pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling, proving that even the sky is not the limit with the right combination of vision, technology, and collaboration.