With the impending Artemis launch, and NASA’s goals of putting humans on the moon for longer periods of time, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC is the most impressive way of peering into the past – and future of space aviation. Even if you’re not a space travel junkie, there is something to pique every visitor’s curiosity.
From the moment you step through the glass doors of the NASA Center, you can be overwhelmed – in a really good way. A showcase of all things aviation, you will encounter everything from the jet engines used to propel rockets into space (massive!) and lunar modules (surprisingly fragile) to the Star Trek Ship Enterprise (live long and prosper!), along with full sized planes suspended three stories above from the ceilings.
There is so much to see among the constantly changing exhibits that you can take two strategies: skim and try visit everything, or focus on an area of particular interest. Your best bet is to first identify what exhibits are available, and plan your trip accordingly (https://airandspace.si.edu/).
To the Moon…
On my visit, I started with the history of the space program. Right in the main lobby was the Lunar Module LM-2, golden in its unbelievably thin skin. It’s one thing to see it on TV – but up close, you marvel at its compact size and the courage it took Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin to climb into it and head down to the untouched surface of the moon.
The exhibit, 50 Years from Tranquility Base showcased the objects and tools uses by these first space pioneers, adding a moving element of humanity to the scientific aspect of space travel. A visitor marvels at the “state-of-the-art” devices the astronauts used. I found myself wondering how “quaint” today’s technology will look to people 50 years from now when colonies will likely be on the moon, and perhaps even Mars.
The Space Race exhibit provided a fascinating insight on the U.S.-Soviet space rivalry and how it fueled both military and scientific developments that anchored the future technologies we enjoy today. Among the large gallery’s highlights were a German V-1 “buzz bomb” and V2 missile, an inside view of a Minuteman rocket guidance system, a Skylab Orbital Workshop which you can enter, and a full-size test version of the Hubble Space Telescope, most of which filled the 3-story gallery.
Space satellites were and remain an integral part of the space program. Mariner 2 marked the beginning of robotic exploration of planets, and dangles in the Milestones of Flight Hall. Fired off in 1962, Mariner 2 measured the atmosphere of Venus.
…And Beyond
Originally established in 1946, the main building opened on the National Mall in 1976. The museum has 22 exhibition galleries which dramatically cover the history of astronomy, aviation, spaceflight, and planetary science. A testament to what an amazing place it is can be summed up with it having earned nearly 5 stars – out of over 47,000 reviews.
I was mesmerized by the early era of flight, the derring-do and risks that aviators, as they were known, were willing to take – both women and men. Seeing exhibits about Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh – including the Spirit of St. Louis, the first plane to make a trans-Atlantic flight – were inspiring.
There are science demonstrations, a planetarium and an IMAX theater that offers multiple shows – and it makes a nice break from hiking the museum. One room actually has rides in the form of simulators, giving you a chance to experience flight. You can enjoy tours led by museum docents, which add depth and insights to your visit. Discovery Stations offer interactive learning sessions and demonstrations, such as Living & Working in Space, and America by Air: The History of Air Exploration.
While I did not get a chance to visit it (yet), the museum actually has a second location in nearby Virginia: the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, with two large hangars which house where the really big objects including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery, among thousands of other aviation and space artifacts.
Plan Your Trip
Exploring the museum can be really simplified by visiting their website in advance and reviewing the current exhibits, and determining which ones you would like to visit. It is very family-friendly, with hands-on exhibits that engage kids and the kids-at-heart.
As with other Smithsonian museums, admission is free and no tickets are required to visit. However, depending on the time of year, the NASA museum may require a Pass Reservation to enter, so check the website. It is open daily, 10-5:30 (with exceptions for certain holidays). The IMAX theater shows do require paid tickets.
One thing I will emphasize: Wear very comfortable shoes! While there are places to sit and a cafeteria, this is a walking museum with concrete floors.
Whatever exhibits you visit, be ready to be enthralled and amazed at the past, present and future of space travel.
