posted 10-25-2017 06:48 PM               

Smithsonian to renovate, revitalize National Air and Space Museum over 7 years

The Wright Flyer, John Glenn's Mercury spacecraft and the Apollo 11 spacesuit that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon, among hundreds of more air and space artifacts curated by the Smithsonian, will soon be exhibited in a renewed space in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian on Wednesday (Oct. 25) revealed plans to revitalize the National Air and Space Museum over the next seven years. The $900 million project will be achieved on a phased schedule so that many of the artifacts remain on view as the construction continues.

posted 10-03-2018 09:15 AM               

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum to Begin Seven-Year Renovation

Museum Will Remain Open With Phased Gallery Closings

The National Air and Space Museum will begin its major renovation of the building on the National Mall before the end of the year. The revitalization of the building's exterior and infrastructure, and the transformation of all 23 exhibitions and presentation spaces, will take approximately seven years. Though the museum will remain open, phased gallery closures will begin Dec. 3 with the closure of the "Apollo to the Moon" and "Looking at Earth" exhibitions. Several additional galleries will close in January 2019.

Above: The National Air and Space Museum will begin its major renovation of the building on the National Mall in late 2018. Though the museum will remain open, phased gallery closures will begin Dec. 3 with the closure of the "Apollo to the Moon" and "Looking at Earth" exhibitions. Several additional galleries will close in January 2019.

For the first few years, some of the most popular artifacts will remain on display, including the "Spirit of St. Louis," the 1903 Wright Flyer, Bell X-1, the Apollo Lunar Module and Skylab. The first set of galleries are scheduled to reopen in 2022.

The building will undergo complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements. The Smithsonian has contracted Clark/Smoot/Consigli for these renovations and artifact moves. Detailed information about the effects construction will have on the public will be released in advance of the changes.

In January, seven exhibitions—"America by Air," "Sea-Air Operations," "Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," "Golden Age of Flight," "World War II Aviation," "Jet Aviation" and "Legend, Memory and the Great War in the Air" will close. Some of artifacts that will go off display with these closures include the Douglas DC-3, Boeing 747 nose, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII and the Hughes H1 Racer. The virtual reality and flight simulators will also close temporarily until they are moved to the east end of the building.

The renovation will refresh some exhibitions but retain their current themes; others will be completely replaced. To safeguard artifacts during construction, most will be moved to a new state-of-the-art collections storage facility at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

The Smithsonian estimates the total cost of the building revitalization will be $650 million, funded through Congressional appropriations. In addition, the museum will raise the $250 million it needs for new exhibitions through private sources.

posted 10-06-2018 08:13 AM            

The main hall for instance having a V2, next to Skylab, next to Hubble, next to Apollo-Soyuz. It's a good chance for them to rearrange the chapters of the story back into the right order.

posted 11-30-2018 05:55 PM               

'Apollo to the Moon' no more: Air and Space Museum closes gallery

For more than 40 years, the "Apollo to the Moon" gallery at the National Air and Space Museum has provided millions of visitors a close-up look at some of the key artifacts from humanity's first visit to another world.

On Monday (Dec. 3), the gallery will close forever.

posted 12-04-2018 12:07 PM               

Today [Dec. 3], as part of our transformation of the Museum, we closed our Looking at Earth and Apollo to the Moon galleries. With these gallery closings, renovations are officially underway!

posted 01-30-2019 10:39 AM               

Major Renovation Underway at National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has begun the first major phase of the renovation of the building on the National Mall with the closure of nine galleries. Lane and sidewalk closures around the building on Jefferson Drive and Seventh Street began in early January and will remain in place for the next three years.

The exhibitions now closed are on the west side of the museum—"America by Air," "Sea-Air Operations," "Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," "Golden Age of Flight," "World War II Aviation," "Jet Aviation" and "Legend, Memory and the Great War in the Air." Some of the artifacts that are off display with these closures include the Douglas DC-3, Boeing 747 nose, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII and the Hughes H1 Racer. The reopening of the west-wing galleries is scheduled for 2022.

On the east wing of the museum, "Apollo to the Moon" and "Looking at Earth" closed this past December.

The scope of the project requires the installation of barriers along the exterior perimeter, resulting in sidewalk and street lane closures. The following road and sidewalk segments are now in place:

Jefferson Drive, between Seventh Street and the museum's entrance:

• The sidewalk and curb lane will be closed. Pedestrians walking along Jefferson Drive will need to use the sidewalk on the National Mall side of the street.

• The current traffic lane will continue to operate as usual. Vehicles will not be permitted to stop or stand in this lane, as it will impede traffic flow.

• Public parking will be permitted on the far-left lane, except between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. when the center (traffic) lane will be used for deliveries.

Jefferson Drive, between the museum's entrance and Fourth Street:

• This segment of the street will still be open, with the curb lane along the museum side (or south side) of the street only available for drop-offs. Public parking will continue to be offered along the Mall side (north side) segment of the street.

Seventh Street, between Independence Avenue and Jefferson Drive:

• The sidewalk will be closed and the curb lane will become a pedestrian walkway separated from traffic by barriers.

• The Metrobus stop that that was at the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Jefferson Drive has been moved up the National Mall to the northeast corner of the intersection.

Independence Avenue, between the museum's entrance and Seventh Street:

• This portion of the sidewalk may be closed during evenings and Sundays for deliveries for the construction.

• The curb lane will also be closed in the evenings and on Sundays.

posted 02-05-2019 05:17 PM               

Join us on a daring new adventure to reimagine and transform the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum for a new age of exploration.

posted 06-27-2019 02:26 PM               

New Changes at National Air and Space Museum During Renovation

Museum Remains Open During Construction

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum continues its major renovation of the building on the National Mall with the next phase of gallery closures July 8. The two additional exhibitions to close will be "Early Flight" and "Exploring the Planets." The east wing of the museum, the Planetarium and IMAX theater will remain open. Many of the museum's icons, including the "Spirit of St. Louis," the 1903 Wright Flyer, Bell X-1, Skylab and the Apollo Lunar Module, will remain on display. The first set of new galleries is scheduled to reopen in 2022.

The renovation will refresh some exhibitions but retain their current themes; others will be completely replaced. To safeguard artifacts during construction, most will be moved to a new state-of-the-art collections storage facility at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. In order to move large artifacts out of the building, cranes will continue to be placed outside of the museum on Independence Avenue on weekends that will temporarily block lanes of traffic.

The museum will continue to remain open during construction and large crowds are expected for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, July 16–20. Visitors will see additional changes in the museum later this summer as work continues.

posted 08-20-2019 10:41 PM               

National Air and Space Museum Renovation Update

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's renovation of the building on the National Mall continues with artifact moves and significant changes to the "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall." The North American X-15 will be the first major artifact to be lowered and removed from the museum's main hall. Visitors will continue to see changes as other artifacts shift and move over the next few months. These adjustments will prepare the space for the construction of a large wall to divide and close the Independence Avenue side of the Hall, the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery and the Albert Einstein Planetarium. Work to construct the floor-to-ceiling wall will begin Oct. 7, at which time the museum's Independence Avenue entrance will close for approximately two years. The entrance on the National Mall side (Jefferson Drive) will remain open for visitors.

This week, the X-15 (which holds the record for top speed by a crewed aircraft) and the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket will be relocated to the museum's storage facilities near Dulles Airport.

Construction on the museum's exterior continues to progress now that artifacts have been removed from the west wing (near 7th Street). The ceremonial first stone will be removed from the exterior Aug. 21. Scaffolding on the exterior of the museum's west end will allow for the removal and replacement of the stones and the window walls.

The museum will continue to remain open during construction. Many of the museum's icons, including Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 spacesuit, the "Spirit of St. Louis," the 1903 Wright Flyer, Skylab and the Apollo Lunar Module, will remain on display. The flight simulators and IMAX Theater also will remain open. Once galleries in the west end of the building start to reopen, in approximately 2022, closures and construction of the east end of the museum will begin.

posted 08-30-2019 09:54 AM               

They swept the dirt from its path as the old rocket plane was rolled out of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum on Tuesday night.

Beneath the spotlights, it still looked menacing, with its long, dark silhouette, tiny cockpit windows and stubby wings. Once the legend of the skies, the X-15 flew faster than a rifle bullet and lofted its pilots to the edge of space 60 miles up.

And as workers crowded around, it seemed as if it was being set for another mission. But its wings were wrapped in padding. Its skin was coated in dust. And around midnight it was plucked by a crane, lowered backward onto a truck and driven off into storage.

posted 04-07-2021 04:40 PM               

Over two years after we began removing artifacts from the west end of the National Air and Space Museum for our multi-year renovation, we are now moving artifacts back to the building and into their new homes in our upcoming reimagined galleries.

posted 07-01-2021 10:07 AM               

National Air and Space Museum Exceeds Halfway Mark of $250 Million "Ignite Tomorrow" Campaign

Eight New Galleries Scheduled To Open Fall 2022

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has raised $165 million of the $250 million campaign goal to reimagine all of its galleries and presentation spaces. The new exhibits are part of the overall seven-year project to completely renovate the museum's building on the National Mall began in 2018. The project includes replacing its exterior stone, infrastructure and mechanical systems, funded through federal appropriations, and the redesigning of all of its exhibitions, made possible through the museum's "Ignite Tomorrow" campaign. The first eight new galleries on the west end of the building are scheduled to open late next year.

"As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of our flagship building on the National Mall, we are grateful for this support that allows us to reimagine one of the country's favorite museums," said Chris Browne, acting director of the museum. "We would not have reached this milestone without the generosity of those who recognized how important this unique place is to future innovators and explorers."

The museum has received leadership support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, including the Boeing Company, Raytheon Technologies, Thomas W. Haas Foundation, Kenneth C. Griffin, The Hillside Foundation – Allan and Shelley Holt, Kislak Family Foundation/Jay I. Kislak, Textron Inc., American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Barron Hilton/Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Jacobs and David M. Rubenstein. A full list of donors to the project thus far is available.

Since the project began in Dec. 2018, over 2,000 artifacts have been deinstalled from the building in Washington and most were moved to storage at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Of those artifacts, the majority have been conserved, preserved or restored. Museum staff started to install artifacts in the new galleries earlier this year. The west end galleries, scheduled to open to visitors in fall 2022, will include "America by Air," "Destination Moon," "Early Flight," "Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets," "Nation of Speed," "One World Connected," "Thomas W. Haas We All Fly," and "The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Aerial Age."

The museum's website has more information about how the museum is transforming all of its exhibitions and revitalizing the building and its "Ignite Tomorrow" campaign.

posted 07-14-2021 01:42 PM               

Smithsonian To Receive Historic $200 Million Donation From Jeff Bezos

Largest Gift Since James Smithson's Founding of the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian will receive a $200 million donation from Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chair of Amazon, and founder of aerospace and space flight company Blue Origin. The donation is the largest gift to the Smithsonian since the Institution's founding gift from James Smithson in 1846. A $70 million portion of the donation will support the renovation of the National Air and Space Museum and $130 million will launch a new education center at the museum.

The education center will be housed in a new facility to be constructed on the east side of the museum's plaza at its flagship location on the National Mall. It will feature programs and activities that inspire students to pursue innovation and explore careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) fields, and it will help teachers better utilize the Smithsonian's collections. The center will connect to all Smithsonian museums, coordinating STEAM-related collections and experts across the Institution and promoting inquiry-based learning in visitors of all ages, with a focus on under-resourced communities. The center will activate programming through innovative community partnerships to reach students and teachers in Washington, D.C., and in communities across the country. It will be built in conjunction with the second half of the museum's ongoing revitalization. The new center will be named the Bezos Learning Center in honor of Bezos' donation.

The gift will also help enable a technological transformation of the museum's galleries and public spaces, including the creation of new interactive experiences to inspire visitors, students, teachers and families.

"Since its inception, the Smithsonian has benefited from both federal funding and the generosity of visionary donors," said Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch. "Almost 175 years ago, Mr. Smithson's inaugural gift laid the groundwork for this innovative approach, bringing together private philanthropy and public funding. Today, as we emerge from a pivotal moment in history, Jeff's donation builds on that original tradition and will help us reimagine and transform the Smithsonian. This historic gift will help the Smithsonian achieve its goal of reaching every classroom in America by creating a world-class learning center with access and inspiration at its heart. We are grateful to Jeff for his generosity and for his passion and commitment to education, innovation and technology. This donation will fuel our nation's future leaders and innovators."

In accepting Bezos' gift, Smithsonian Board of Regents Chair Steve Case, the chairman and CEO of Revolution and founder of America Online, said, "Jeff's early curiosity about space exploration helped inspire him to think big and act boldly, and as a result he has played a defining role in the expansion of the internet. We're delighted that Jeff is making this commitment to help us extend the Smithsonian's reach and impact, as we seek to inspire the next generation of scientists, astronauts, engineers, educators and entrepreneurs."

"At this moment, the first human to set foot on Mars might be in elementary school," said Ellen Stofan, the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Science and Research and former director of the National Air and Space Museum. "As the largest and most visited aerospace museum in the world, the museum wants to spark that passion and enrich the imagination and ingenuity of every student who visits the Smithsonian. For many years, Jeff has been an avid supporter of the Smithsonian and the museum's mission to 'ignite tomorrow.' With this gift, we will be able to continue our transformation and further expand the National Air and Space Museum's ability to reveal the possibilities of space exploration."

"The Smithsonian plays a vital role in igniting the imaginations of our future builders and dreamers," Bezos said. "Every child is born with great potential, and it's inspiration that unlocks that potential. My love affair with science, invention and space did that for me, and I hope this gift does that for others."

Bezos has a long history of supporting the Smithsonian. He was a founding donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and has contributed to the National Air and Space Museum. Bezos was honored during the National Portrait Gallery's 2019 American Portrait Gala with the Portrait of a Nation Prize and was awarded a Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for Technology in 2016. His portrait was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in 2017. He was also a featured speaker at the National Air and Space Museum for the 2016 John H. Glenn Lecture in Space History.

posted 10-13-2021 02:18 PM               

National Air and Space Museum Enters Next Phase of Renovation

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is entering the next major phase of the seven-year renovation of its flagship building on the National Mall. Artifacts in the "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall" will be removed and relocated to prepare for construction work to begin in the space next year. There will be noticeable changes to the hall starting this month and continuing through February 2022.

In October, the Viking Lander, Sputnik, Explorer 1, Whittle W.1X Engine, Junkers Jumo 211 Engine, Mercury "Friendship 7," Gemini IV, Bell XP-59A Airacomet and NACA Wind Tunnel Fan will go off display. Pioneer 10 and Mariner 2 will be deinstalled in November. In December, the Lunar Module 2 will be deinstalled. The Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis," SpaceShipOne and Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis" will be removed in early 2022. All the artifacts from "Milestones of Flight" will return to the building for display after the renovation is complete.

The first half of the renovation project will be completed next fall when eight new exhibitions in the building's west wing open to the public. "Milestones of Flight" is currently scheduled to reopen in 2024. The completion of the east wing and the culmination of the project are currently scheduled for 2025.

posted 11-23-2021 08:51 AM               

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Will Temporarily Close for Renovation

The National Air and Space Museum's flagship building on the National Mall will temporarily close to the public March 28, 2022, until fall 2022 to complete work on the first new galleries in the west wing of the building. The museum has been undergoing a major renovation since late 2018.

This closure is needed to ensure the continued safety of visitors. To provide the best visitor experience, the museum's west-end galleries will open all at one time; their opening date will be announced next year. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the museum's companion facility in Chantilly, Virginia, will operate as usual with regular visiting hours and events. The museum will also continue doing virtual events and has robust online materials about the collection.

The west-end exhibitions opening in fall 2022 will include "America by Air," "The Wright Brothers & the Invention of the Aerial Age," "Nation of Speed," "Thomas W. Haas We All Fly," "One World Connected," "Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery," "Destination Moon" and "Early Flight." The museum store and Albert Einstein Planetarium will also open in the fall.

The second half of the project will begin at the end of March 2022 with the deinstallation of the east wing of the building. The completion of that wing, the culmination of the project and the opening of the remaining exhibitions are currently scheduled for 2025.

While the museum on the National Mall is closed, some of its world-class collection and items related to air and space content can be found in other Smithsonian museums, including several meteorites at the National Museum of Natural History, the Tomahawk cruise missile at the National Museum of the American Indian, the PT-13D Stearman Kaydet aircraft at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Huey helicopter at the National Museum of American History and the Goddard 1935 Series-A Rocket in the new "FUTURES" exhibition at the Arts and Industries Building. The museum is also working on additional ways to share its content at other Smithsonian locations on the National Mall during the closure.

The museum has also greatly expanded its digital offerings in recent years, including online programs and activities, greater access to its collections and stories of aviation and space pioneers. These include:

• Regular online live chats with museum experts and guests such as astronauts
  
• Online story time
  
• Virtual scavenger hunts
  
• And marquee lectures from leaders in aviation and space exploration

posted 04-06-2022 06:24 PM               

National Air and Space Museum Receives $25 Million Gift From Raytheon Technologies

New "Living in the Space Age" Exhibition Anticipated To Open in 2025

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has received a $25 million gift from Raytheon Technologies to support the creation of its new "Living in the Space Age" exhibition. The exhibition is located in one of the museum's three main halls and will show visitors how innovations in space technology have transformed their lives, and why it matters.

The "Raytheon Technologies Living in the Space Age" exhibition is part of the museum's ongoing transformation of its galleries at the flagship building in Washington, D.C., and scheduled to open in 2025. The gift will also sponsor the Explainers program, the museum's frontline program for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) engagement with visitors onsite and online. The museum and Raytheon Technologies announced the gift today, April 6, at the Space Foundation's annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"We are grateful for Raytheon Technologies' generous support, which is so critical to helping us engage more deeply with visitors," said Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian. "This gift will not only help us bring the wonder of the space age to audiences of all ages, I am confident it will inspire a greater desire to learn about the STEM disciplines increasingly needed in the dynamic workforce of today and tomorrow."

The "Raytheon Technologies Living in the Space Age" exhibition will provide insight into space hardware and infrastructure that are largely invisible to the public but have a profound impact on their daily lives. The exhibition will explore topics from the beginning of the Space Age in the mid-20th century to the present and beyond. It will narrate these stories through Space Age objects and the people who build, maintain and use them.

The content will include the development of large-scale rocket technology during and after World War II, ballistic missiles that resulted from Cold War development and vehicles that allowed the launching of satellites and astronauts into space and space systems for Earth observation, communications and navigation. Some of the key artifacts will include the Hubble Space Telescope, Skylab Orbital Workshop, Standard Missile-3 and several generations of EVA (extravehicular activity) spacesuits.

"With a renewed focus on space exploration, tomorrow's technology solutions will be built on the lessons of what got us to the moon and beyond," said Raytheon Technologies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Hayes. "By working with the Smithsonian to inspire and educate the next generation of innovators, we will accelerate and expand what is possible on Mars and countless other new frontiers."

The 11,800-square-foot gallery will be a hub for STEM learning through interactive programming led by the museum's Explainers. The Explainers program hires high school and college students to help visitors better understand the concepts surrounding the museum's artifacts and exhibits through hands-on activities. Explainers host demonstrations, design challenges and other activities throughout both of the museum's locations and online.

"Raytheon Technologies' transformative gift will help us reimagine one of the museum's most popular galleries for the next generation of innovators," said Chris Browne, acting director of the National Air and Space Museum. "The large-scale artifacts on display in the gallery will create a powerful sense of awe and allow us to tell stories about how space exploration affects us all."

posted 04-22-2022 11:57 AM               

National Air and Space Museum Receives Leadership Gift From Iridium for New "One World Connected" Exhibition

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has received a $3 million donation from Iridium to support the renovation of the museum's flagship building on the National Mall. The "One World Connected" exhibition will tell the story of how satellites fostered the ease of making connections across vast distances and provided a new perspective of Earth as humanity's home. It is part of the museum's ongoing transformation of all its galleries at the flagship building in Washington, D.C., and is scheduled to open in fall 2022.

Above: Artist rendering of the future One World Connected exhibition, scheduled to open at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. in 2022.

"We are grateful to Iridium for this generous gift in support of 'One World Connected,'" said Teasel Muir-Harmony, space history curator at the museum. "Their support will allow us to bring an outstanding interactive experience to the museum's visitors and will introduce a new way of learning about this era of globalization."

The "One World Connected" exhibition will feature an array of satellites and other tools that have increased human connection. The exhibition will ask visitors to consider how global interconnection touches their lives and to imagine how advances in technology might impact our near-future. Some of the key artifacts will include the Sirius FM-4 communications satellite, an original Iridium communications satellite and the Planet Labs "Dove" Earth observation satellite. The center of the exhibition will feature a 10-foot interactive globe that will provide an immersive experience to encourage visitors to begin thinking about the major themes explored throughout the gallery. Visitors will interact directly with the spherical projection on the globe via interactive kiosks that enable deeper dives into the gallery's key themes, including communication, the natural world, and transportation and navigation.

Iridium was the world's first commercial satellite communications network operating in low earth orbit, using in-space crosslinks between its satellites to provide truly global and reliable connections for consumers, businesses, governments and NGOs (nongovernmental organizations). The company has about 500 international partners that embed its technologies into their products and build new problem-solving solutions for its growing subscriber base around the world.

The gallery is located on the west end of the building and will be part of the museum's reopening this fall.

posted 08-02-2022 12:00 PM               

Smithsonian to debut reimagined Air and Space Museum galleries on Oct. 14

The countdown is now on for the launch of the first reimagined galleries in the National Air and Space Museum.

The Smithsonian on Tuesday (Aug. 2) announced that after six months being closed to the public, it will re-open half of the Washington, D.C. museum's flagship building on the National Mall on Friday, Oct. 14. Eight new and renovated exhibitions, including two focused on the history of space exploration, will debut on the building's west end.

posted 09-07-2022 11:57 AM               

Free Timed-Entry Passes for National Air and Space Museum Available Sept. 14

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum will require free timed-entry passes for visiting the renovated and newly opened west wing of its building in Washington, D.C. The free passes will be available online starting Wednesday, Sept. 14. The museum will reopen approximately half of the building Friday, Oct. 14, which will include eight new and renovated exhibitions, the planetarium, museum store and Mars Café.

An individual will be able to reserve up to six passes per day for a specific entry time. Each visitor must have a pass, regardless of age. To enter the museums, visitors can show their digital timed-entry pass on their mobile device or a copy of their time-entry pass printed at home. The link to reserve tickets will go live Sept. 14 at noon ET and can be accessed from the museum's website.

The museum will release individual passes for six-week periods at noon ET on the following dates:

Release Date Sept. 14, 2022 Oct. 28, 2022 Dec. 16, 2022 Jan. 27, 2023

Passes Available Oct. 14 – Nov. 30, 2022 Dec. 1, 2022 – Jan. 14, 2023 Jan. 15 – Feb. 28, 2023 March 1 – April 14, 2023

In addition to these advance ticket releases, a limited number of same-day passes will be released each day at 8:30 a.m. ET beginning Oct. 14.

Visitors looking to be among the first to see the new galleries have two opportunities to visit prior to the Oct. 14 public opening date: On Friday, Oct. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., the museum will hold a paid, limited-capacity reception in celebration of the new galleries. Tickets, which include hors d'oeuvres, drinks and valet parking, will cost $150. More information can be found on the museum's website. Additionally, members of the museum's National Air and Space Society are invited to a member preview open house Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. Museum memberships start at $35 per year. The public can visit the National Air and Space Society webpage to join.

The museum has been undergoing a seven-year renovation that began in 2018 and includes redesigning all 23 exhibitions and presentation spaces, complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements. Visit the museum's website for more information on the renovation.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia. The Udvar-Hazy Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25) and does not require timed-entry passes. Admission is free. There is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

posted 09-14-2022 12:00 AM               

Claim your space: Smithsonian offers free passes for Air and Space reopening

With just a month left before its long-awaited reopening, you can now claim your space to see the National Air and Space Museum's new and reimagined galleries.

The Smithsonian will begin distributing free, timed-entry passes beginning today (Sept. 14) at noon EDT (1600 GMT).

posted 10-06-2022 07:30 AM               

Ready to launch: National Air and Space Museum set to reopen with new galleries

Margaret Weitekamp was certain what she was seeing was not real.

Looking at a photo taken in one of the new galleries, the chair of the National Air and Space Museum's space history division was sure it was a rendering, one she had seen many times before.

"My first thought was, no, that's the rendering of what it's going to look like," said Weitekamp.

Then Weitekamp noticed the construction cones in one corner of the image.

"Oh, it looks like just like the rendering! It turned out just the way we planned," she said.

posted 10-14-2022 01:16 AM               

'Destination Moon': Take a tour of new Air and Space Museum gallery

Of the eight new and renovated galleries debuting with the reopening of the National Air and Space Museum, none may be more anticipated than "Destination Moon."

For those unable to be in Washington, D.C., collectSPACE has worked with the museum's staff to assemble this multimedia walkthrough, highlighting many of new gallery's artifacts and installations.

posted 10-14-2022 10:41 AM               

This Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit was used by Edward White III on his historic "walk in space" on June 3, 1965.

posted 10-14-2022 05:58 PM            

When you look at the bottom part of the unit, near where the turning dial is, you can see that this area is covered in a plastic coating or covering. If you look at the EVA photos, you can also see this on his unit.

posted 10-14-2022 07:45 PM              

I recognized three works of space art in the exhibit photos. There's the Chesley Bonestell moonscape mural noted in the feature article. Norman Rockwell's Gemini III suit up painting hangs behind Borman's Apollo suit. And I spied Pierre Mion's depiction of Al Worden's deep space walk over with the lunar science displays. Are there any others?

posted 10-14-2022 09:23 PM               

I visited the Air and Space Museum in 2010 and I loved it. I have to say watching this fellows quick walk through, I feel it looks really dumbed down. Being in aviation and a space program follower all my life, I preferred the cold technical presentations of the old museum. I guess I'm an odd ball as it seems the general public are liking what they are seeing. There seems to be lots of new and interesting things, but I have to say some of the exhibits (Need for Speed) are out of place for an Air and Space Museum.

If I ever have an opportunity to go again, I will be sure to spend all day there again I'm certain.

posted 10-14-2022 09:24 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rocketman!:
I was curious if they have Armstrong's lunar overboots on display.

---

As for other artwork in "Destination Moon":

• "Alan B. Shepard" by Ted Wilbur, Oil on canvas, 1970, Commissioned by the National Air and Space Museum

• "Power to Go" by Paul Calle, painted for the NASA art program in 1969, transferred by NASA

• "Engineers and Apollo Simulator" by Chrystal Jackson, watercolor sketch, made for the NASA art program

• "Houston" by Mitchell Jameson, Oil on board, ca. 1971. Painting depicts the Mission Operations Control Room as seen from the glassed-off VIP seating area, probably during Apollo 15 in 1971.

• "Home Sweet Home" by Alan Bean, Acrylic on aircraft board, 1983. Gift of Carol Sweeney in memory of Robert E. Sweeney.

posted 03-29-2023 03:55 PM               

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, left, Jessica Watkins, center, and Bob Hines, right, take in the view from the interactive recreation of the International Space Station's cupola in the One World Connected gallery at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum on March 28, 2023.

Lindgren, Watkins, and Hines spent 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station; while aboard the orbital laboratory, they conducted maintenance on the space station as well as science experiments.