Smithsonian Air and Space opens halls for “milestone” and “future” artifacts

The National Air and Space Museum has reopened five of its renovated galleries, inviting the public to explore the rich history and future of aviation and space exploration. Among these new exhibitions are two that highlight significant artifacts from spaceflight, bringing a fresh perspective to displays that have been part of the museum for nearly five decades. The iconic "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall" has reopened after a three-year closure, featuring some of the museum's most celebrated pieces, such as John Glenn's Friendship 7 Mercury capsule and an Apollo lunar module. This hall serves as a gateway to the adjacent gallery titled "Futures in Space," which explores innovative technologies and various approaches to future space travel. In this forward-looking exhibition, visitors can see items recently donated by commercial spaceflight companies, showcasing tools used in space tourism and advancements in the low-Earth orbit economy. "We are thrilled to open this next phase of exhibitions to the public," stated Chris Browne, the Director of the National Air and Space Museum. "Reopening our main hall with such iconic aerospace artifacts, along with completely new exhibitions, will provide visitors with even more to discover and enjoy." In addition to the space galleries, three other newly accessible areas focus on aviation history. These include the "Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight," "World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation," and the "Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery." Notable items in the "Futures in Space" exhibit include a Merlin engine and grid fin from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Sian Proctor's pressure suit from the private Inspiration4 mission in 2021, and a mockup of a New Shepard crew module, set to be replaced by its first flown capsule once retired from service.