The Museum of Science Fiction wrapped up its third annual Escape Velocity convention with dozens of science and science fiction-themed programming. This year marked our best year yet, and featured a full-size Millennium Falcon cockpit, more Museum gallery items, exhibitors, discussion panels, and interactive activities than previous years. The theme of Escape Velocity 2018 was "Other Worlds," a topic explored in many of this year's events and particularly, artificial worlds like Asgardia in the special program tracks celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic works of science fiction, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

In cooperation with the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, Escape Velocity offered fans a wide variety of programming to explore this groundbreaking story. In addition to a discussion panel featuring authors and engineers examining the lost science of the film, visually stunning prop replicas and reproductions were on display including a 9-foot tall Monolith, Clavius moon base spacesuit and Pan Am stewardess uniform. The most popular attraction was undoubtedly the 1:1 scale replica of the EVA pod, a project designed and fabricated by famed special effects artist, Greg Nicotero. Escape Velocity 2018 was the first time ever that this pod was put on public display. In addition to the stunning EVA Pod, a working HAL 9000 wall panel was demonstrated by Master Replicas.