The Space History Division presents the history of spaceflight through an active program of public outreach at both museum locations. The division oversees the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, as well as several space-related galleries at the National Mall building, including Rocketry and Spaceflight, Space Race, Apollo to the Moon, Beyond the Limits, and Explore the Universe.

Explore the Universe, opened in September 2001, is the Division's most recent exhibit. The gallery explains how our understanding of the universe has evolved over centuries as we created ever more sophisticated instruments to study and understand its mysteries. The gallery has been a crucial addition to the Museum's science education activities, stimulating associated lectures, school programs, and in-museum outreach techniques such as Discovery carts.

The Division is an active participant in the Museum's public lecture programs. In conjunction with the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies (CEPS) the Division present the annual Exploring Space Lectures, which examine the role of new technology in space exploration. It also organizes the Museum's premier annual forum on spaceflight history and policy, the John Glenn Lecture.

The Division's public outreach efforts include a number of activities, including weekly Curator's Choice talks in museum, collaboration with the Museum's Einstein Planetarium, and through numerous invited public lectures around the country. The Division is also an active participant in the Smithsonian's Affiliations program, an effort to share Institution expertise and resources with museums around the country.