Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum Reopens 5 Renovated Galleries Starring SpaceX Rocket Parts, A 3D-Printed Mars Habitat And More

The museum's flagship building on the National Mall drew thousands of visitors on Monday who were among the first to tour reimagined displays.

The newly renovated Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. displays some of the museum's most iconic objects. (Image credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

Hundreds of people lined up outside of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum on Monday morning (July 28), waiting for the doors to open and the curtains to drop on five newly renovated galleries devoted to aviation and space exploration history.

The museum's flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was on track to have more than 6,000 visitors be among the first to see the returning exhibits, like John Glenn's Mercury capsule "Friendship 7," and all new displays, such as SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket parts, a Blue Origin crew cabin and an immersive 3D-printed Mars habitat.

"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," said Chris Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum, in a statement. "We are thrilled to open this next phase of exhibitions to the public."

The newly renovated north entrance to the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Image credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

The new galleries are part of a $900 million, full-building overhaul that began in 2018 and is expected to be complete by the museum's 50th anniversary in July 2026. The five galleries that premiered to the public on Monday were the second set of reimagined and relaunched halls to reopen after a similar debut in 2022.

The new experiences began outside the building as its north entrance re-opened to the public for the first time in three years. Located alongside Jefferson Drive, the new entryway features a wing-like vestibule.

From there, the doors led directly into the "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall," which displays some of the museum's most iconic objects. The hall underwent a restoration in 2014, so the artifacts remain mostly the same, but during its closure, the floor and ceiling were replaced and wall-length screens were added to preview what awaits visitors further into the museum.

Adjacent to "Milestones" is the new "Futures in Space" exhibition, which aims to recapture the visitor experience from when the National Air and Space Museum first opened and the space artifacts on exhibit were still contemporary to the day. Premiering in this gallery are items from the companies and other venues exploring space today, including Virgin Galactic and Axiom Space, as well as SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Rather than organize the displays by program or historic period, "Futures in Space" uses the objects it exhibits to explore the answers to a series of questions, such as: Who decides who goes to space? Why do we go? And what will we do when we get there?

A mockup of Blue Origin's New Shepard crew capsule sits alongside SpaceX Falcon 9 flown parts, a Virgin Galactic engine and a model of Axiom Space's commercial space station in "Futures in Space," newly opened at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. (Image credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

Artwork from the museum's extensive collection and imagery from pop culture references to the future of spaceflight complete the hall, which also includes a stage and seating area for live talks and presentations.

The other galleries that opened to the public on Monday explore aviation history, including the "Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight," "World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation" and the "Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery." The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater was also upgraded and is open again.

"We look forward to welcoming many more people into these modernized and inspiring new spaces," said Browne.

Entrance to the National Air and Space Museum remains free, but time entry passes available from the Smithsonian's website are required.

https://www.space.com/author/robert-z-pearlman

Smithsonian Removes Trump's Name From Impeachment Exhibit

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History has removed explicit reference to President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachment.

The museum in Washington D.C. made the change as part of a review that it agreed to undertake following White House pressure to remove an art museum director. The Washington Post first reported the removal.

Trump signed an executive order in March calling for "improper, divisive or anti-American ideology" to be removed from the Smithsonian - the vast museum and research institution that is a premier exhibition space for U.S. history and culture.

The order raised concern of political interference at the institution as well as fear that his administration is undoing decades of social progress and undermining the acknowledgment of critical phases of American history.

In September 2021, the museum installed a temporary label on content concerning the impeachments of Donald J. Trump. It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time, however, the label remained in place until July 2025.

The Washington Post reported the exhibit now notes that "only three presidents have seriously faced removal."

The temporary label - which read "Case under redesign (history happens)" - also offered information about the impeachments of former presidents Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998, as well as Richard Nixon, who would have faced impeachment had he not resigned in 1974, the newspaper reported, citing a photograph of the label.

The spokesperson said that after a content review, the Smithsonian decided to restore the exhibit to how it looked in 2008.

The Smithsonian receives most of its budget from the U.S. Congress but is independent of the government in decision-making.

In June, Kim Sajet stepped down as director of the National Portrait Gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian, after criticism from Trump.

In Trump's first term in office from 2017 to 2021, he became the first president to be impeached twice - the first time over a request that Ukraine investigate former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and the second over the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

The three presidents impeached - or charged with misconduct - by the House of Representatives were acquitted by the Senate.

The Museum of Illusions Washington DC Opening December 13th

Tickets for the The Museum of Illusions Washington DC (925 H Street NW) are now available to purchase, starting at $23.95. Be one of the first to experience the new and exciting museum, the 40th to open globally. As the newest addition to CityCenterDC, MOIDC offers a totally original, educational and instagrammable experience to visitors of all ages. The more than 50 interactive exhibits will debut on December 13, 2022. The museum's unique hands-on experience is designed to include illusionistic rooms, optical illusions and a playroom with didactic games and puzzles. All exhibits on science, mathematics and psychology allow visitors to learn about vision, perception, and the human brain through interaction and fun.

MOIDC takes inspiration from its surroundings, featuring iconic Washingtonian throughout its more than 50 exhibits. Guests can expect to be followed by the wandering eyes of George Washington as they take in a beautiful Capitol Hill mosaic. The Museum offers an ode to the Blue Metro Line in the Reverse Room, where guests can seemingly "hang" from the subway's ceiling. The Ames Room is the perfect place to have fun with height as guests appear to grow and shrink walking from one corner to the next. The Vortex Tunnel tricks the mind and body into feeling like the ground is moving, providing the perfect backdrop for a mind-boggling social media post.

"We are thrilled to be opening the Museum of Illusions in Washington DC, providing both residents and visitors with a completely unique and immersive experience unlike anything else in the district," said Ghida Damirji, MOIDC's owner.

Before officially opening next month, visitors can catch a glimpse of what's to come at the MOIDC pop-up, moving to the Downtown Holiday Market, which opens November 18th (F Street between 7th & 9th Streets, NW), just blocks from CityCenterDC. No registration is required.

The museum will be open 10am-8pm Monday through Saturday and on Sunday, 11am-6pm. Guests are encouraged to visit MOIDC online to purchase tickets in advance and to sign up for a regular newsletter with special offers.

About Museum of Illusions

In the heart of Washington DC, The Museum of Illusions offers guests an unforgettable and mind-bending experience, testing the limits of the human brain's perception. The original concept was launched in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2015 and quickly became an iconic attraction. With locations in New York, Chicago, Paris, Madrid, Athens, Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Shanghai, New Delhi, and Toronto, MOI has been noted as one of the fastest growing educational and entertainment businesses. MOI is dedicated to showcasing mesmerizing illusions covering science, mathematics, and psychology to capture the spirit of the world, blurring the lines of reality. Learn more at https://moiwashington.com/

US Capitol Reopening For Limited Public Tours After 2 Years

The U.S. Capitol will reopen to the public on Monday for guided tours for limited groups of people who have registered in advance, congressional officials said, two years after the coronavirus pandemic prompted the cessation of such visits.

Officials said that the resumption would occur in phases, beginning on Monday for school groups and other groups of up to 15 people who would be led by lawmakers or their aides. Congressional offices would each be limited to leading one tour weekly.

The move, announced Wednesday, marked Congress’ latest relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions as Washington, D.C., and the world struggle to return to normalcy as the omicron variant wave wanes in the U.S. Mask requirements inside the Capitol were relaxed weeks ago in a gradual easing that has been colored by politics, with Republicans pushing for more aggressive easing of restrictions than Democrats.

A health screening form for all visitors was being “recommended,” according to the statement by House Sergeant at Arms William J. Walker and Brian P. Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician.
The Capitol Visitor Center, an adjacent underground complex that has exhibits and a restaurant, would tentatively reopen to limited numbers of visitors on May 30, officials said.

Walker and Monahan said the renewed tours would be monitored with an eye to revamping the new restrictions if needed. They also said they would be guided by how widespread COVID-19 is in the Washington area.

“We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as we work together to resume public tours of the Capitol for the American people in a way that protects the health and safety of visitors and institutional staff alike,” they wrote.

The two officials said the decision to renew limited tours was made by congressional leaders, the Capitol’s medical and visitors services staff, the U.S. Capitol Police and the board that oversees that force.

In normal times, around 3 million people visit the Capitol every year.

DC To Require COVID Test For Visitors From Hot Spot States

WASHINGTON (AP) — With virus numbers rising locally and nationally and the holiday travel season looming, the nation’s capital is revamping its COVID-19 travel restrictions. Starting next week, visitors coming to Washington, D.C., from a state classified as high risk will be required to take a COVID-19 test and receive a negative result within 72 hours before traveling. They will also be asked to take another test locally if they plan on staying here more than three days. The new system replaces the one in place since July, which required visitors from hot-spot states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged Thursday that the quarantine system, which was entirely voluntary, was probably being violated by many visitors.

“We continue to ask people to limit their travel and stay home,” Bowser said. “We also know that people are going to come here and they’re more than likely not going to quarantine for 14 days if they do.” It also was unrealistic that travelers would abide by the quarantine rules, particularly as Washington’s hot-spot list has grown to encompass 42 states. There also was no way to enforce it. Under the new restrictions, private institutions such as hotels, universities, employers and houses of worship are permitted to demand proof of negative COVID-19 tests before allowing people to enter, but Bowser said the government won’t be involved in such enforcement. “Nobody is going to be asking you at the airport, or on bridges or roads or at the train station, to show your papers,” Bowser said. Visitors from neighboring Maryland and Virginia are exempt, as well as those staying in D.C. less than 24 hours and those traveling on essential business. Washington, Maryland and Virginia have all witnessed rising infection rates in recent weeks, with Maryland and Virginia experiencing the most dramatic spikes. The main infection metrics in Washington, D.C., have doubled in recent weeks, but are still around half of the local peak in May. The city reported 81 new infections Thursday, for an overall total of 17, 682, with 650 deaths.