The Guide to Great Space Exhibits and Museums
Spacecraft
Apollo 7
Nov 14th
In October 1968, NASA launched its first manned test of the Apollo spacecraft—Apollo 7. Led by veteran Wally Schirra, the crew took the new moonship through its pace in an eleven day earth-orbital mission. The crew, which included Walt Cunningham and Donn Eisle (in what would be their only spaceflight) did a great job: NASA declared the mission a “101% success.”
Apollo 7: Now on display at Frontiers of Flight in Dallas
| Spacecraft | Apollo 7 |
|---|---|
| Location | Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas |
| Hours | Monday – Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 1pm to 5pm |
| Contact | 214-350-3600 |
| Mission | First manned test of the Apollo spacecraft. |
Apollo 8
Nov 14th
In the second manned Apollo flight, and the first manned test of the giant Saturn V rocket, a three-man crew took a flight all the way to the moon. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders orbited the moon ten times, and read from Genesis on Christmas eve.
Apollo 8 at the Museum of Science and Industry
| Spacecraft | Apollo 8 |
|---|---|
| Location | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Illinois |
| Hours | Monday – Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open every day except Christmas Day |
| Contact | 773-684-1414 |
| Mission | First manned mission to leave earth orbit and go around the moon. |
Apollo 9
Nov 14th
Apollo 9 was the first manned test of a lunar module. In March 1969, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweikert took the LM on a spin in earth orbit, while commander Jim McDivitt flew the command module (“Gumdrop”) solo. When the two vehicles docked, it was America’s first docking of two manned spacecraft
Apollo 9 ("Gumdrop")
| Spacecraft | Apollo 9 ("Gumdrop") |
|---|---|
| Location | San Diego Air & Space Museum San Diego, California |
| Hours | Normal hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Summer hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m Closed:Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day |
| Contact | 619-234-8291 |
| Mission | First manned flight of a lunar module. |
Apollo 10
Nov 14th
A dress rehearsal for the first moonlanding, Apollo 10 took Gene Cernan and his crew to the moon in May 1969. As Tom Mattingly stayed aboard the command module (“Charlie Brown”), Cernan and Tom Stafford took the LM (“Snoopy”) to within 10 miles of the lunar surface—above the Sea of Tranquility.
Apollo 10 ("Charlie Brown")
| Spacecraft | Apollo 10 ("Charlie Brown") |
|---|---|
| Location | Science Museum London, England |
| Hours | Open 7 days a week from 10.00am to 6.00pm except 24 to 26 December. Closed:Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day |
| Contact | 0870-870-4868 |
| Mission | Rehearsal for moonlanding; LM came within 50,000 feet of the lunar surface. |
Apollo 11
Nov 14th
NASA met President Kennedy’s goal by landing on the moon in July 1969. The Apollo 11 command module (“Columbia”) got them there. The final leg down to the surface was taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin via the LM, “Eagle”. Meanwhile, Mike Collins orbited above alone.
Apollo 11 ("Columbia") at National Air & Space
| Spacecraft | Apollo 11 ("Columbia") |
|---|---|
| Location | National Air & Space Museum Washington, District of Columbia |
| Hours | 10:00 am - 5:30 pm some extended hours (call!) Open every day except December 25. |
| Contact | 202-633-1000 |
| Mission | First moonlanding. |
Apollo 13
Nov 14th
Apollo 13 at the Cosmosphere
| Spacecraft | Apollo 13 ("Odyssey") |
|---|---|
| Location | Cosmosphere Hutchinson, Kansas |
| Hours | Open daily except Christmas. Hours vary, so call ahead. |
| Contact | 800-397-0330 |
| Mission | Explosion cancelled planned moonlanding; hazardous flight, overcoming many obstacles ending with safe return to earth. |