Museum conservators play a vital role in caring for our more than 70,000 artifacts from Mars rovers to oil paintings.

Conservators are responsible for the long-term preservation of the collection. They use specialized knowledge and skills in the arts and science to preserve our nation’s aerospace heritage. 

Examining each artifact provides an opportunity to learn more about its unique history and specific preservation needs. Through materials analysis, conservators enhance artifact records and devise informed preservation strategies.  

Selected projects include:

Select Projects Include

A fictional spaceship composed of a large central disk and three cylinders that run parallel.

Star Trek Enterprise

Detail of Armstrong's Suit

Neil Armstrong's Spacesuit

On the side of a bomber, the name "Flak-Bait" is painted, as well as an icon of a bomb with the number 200 on it and the name "O.J. Red Redmond."

Flak-Bait

Center portion of Horton Ho 229 aircraft with two engines and cockpit.

Horten Ho 229 V3

To learn more about some of the staff behind this work, visit the Conservation unit's About page.