The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is opening five new galleries, as well as a renovated Imax theatre and redesigned entrance, today (28 July).
The museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. is undergoing a major transformation, redesigning all 20 exhibition spaces and renovating other areas of the building.
It closed in March 2022 to install eight new galleries in the west wing, with five of these debuting today.
The remaining galleries are due to open on 1 July 2026 for the museum’s 50th anniversary, and in time for the 250th anniversary of the US.
“We are thrilled to open this next phase of exhibitions to the public,” said Chris Browne, director of the National Air and Space Museum.
“Reopening our main hall with so many iconic aerospace artifacts, as well as completely new exhibitions, will give visitors much more to see and enjoy.
Multi-year renovation project nears completion
“We are nearing the end of this multi-year renovation project, and we look forward to welcoming many more people into these modernized and inspiring new spaces.”
The new galleries are:
- Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall
- Futures in Space
- Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight
- World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation
- Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery
Thousands of artefacts are back on view in the reopened galleries, including the Spirit of St. Louis, the North American X-15, John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7, and the Apollo Lunar Module 2.
New artefacts on display include the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo, a Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule mockup, and a Goddard 1935 A-series rocket.
Additionally, the renovated Lockheed Martin Imax Theater features improved sound and picture quality, new seats, and an updated lobby and queuing area.
The project to renovate the entire museum started in 2018 and includes redesigning all 20 exhibition spaces, refacing the exterior cladding, and replacing outdated mechanical systems.
The first phase opened in October 2022 with eight new exhibitions, as well as the planetarium, the museum store, and the Mars Café.
Images courtesy of the Smithsonian
