With the presence of the nearby Parkes Observatory, Parkes has had an important role in the scientific community. In addition to local research conducted at the radio telescope, Parkes scientists have assisted NASA for several missions as a Southern Hemisphere relay and communications station. The movie "The Dish" was based somewhat loosely on the role the telescope played during the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Parkes prides itself on its modernising ideology, historically and culturally. "The Dish", although set in Parkes, was largely filmed in Forbes' historic precinct. This is due to very few historic buildings remaining in Parkes. Parkes is also home to the Parkes Spacemen rugby league club.