Smithsonian Unveils 'At Home in Space' Exhibit

After seven years of extensive work and an investment of nearly $1 billion, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has completed the renovation of its main building in Washington, D.C. The museum celebrated the reopening by debuting its "At Home in Space" exhibition on October 30. This new gallery focuses on the history of long-duration spaceflight, tracing the journey from initial orbital missions to establishing a continuous human presence in space.

The "At Home in Space" gallery immerses visitors in the equipment and spacecraft that have enabled humans to live in orbit, setting the stage for future bases on the Moon and Mars. Highlights include a mock-up of the International Space Station, a space shuttle main engine, and a remarkably rare, fully flown extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) spacesuit, which has been continuously used since the shuttle program. The exhibit also features "shirt-sleeve" outfits worn by pioneers like Guy Bluford and Sally Ride.

Further enhancing the historical narrative, the museum has included recovered components from the Challenger and Columbia tragedies, honoring the individuals lost. Visitors can also walk through a full-scale mock-up of the ISS's Destiny module, exploring its interactive elements and scientific equipment, including tools used for DNA sequencing in space. A space is reserved for the Artemis I capsule, awaiting its delivery from NASA.