Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history.
Learn how aviation and spaceflight transformed the world.
The lunar module represents one of humanity’s greatest achievements: landing people on another heavenly body.
Don’t miss our fast-paced webcasts designed to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in 30 minutes.
Apollo 11 was a global event. What did that historic mission mean to you? Share your story and read what others have to say.
Our scientists are involved in current research focused on the Martian climate and geology. Find out what we’re discovering.
Recognize your favorite air or space enthusiast. Add his or her name to the Museum’s Wall of Honor.
As a public health precaution, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the Museum in DC are temporarily closed. See our COVID-19 message.
Meridiani Planum as seen by the Opportunity rover
What lies beneath the Opportunity rover? Much of the plains of Meridiani Planum as seen by the Opportunity rover are flat, featureless, and covered by sand dunes. In May 2005, while the Mars Express spacecraft orbited high above, the Opportunity rover on route to Endurance crater and driving through “Purgatory Dune” got stuck in the deep sand for more than a month. The MARSIS radar sounder has probed deep below the surface of Meridiani Planum revealing deposits of windblown sand are as much as 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) thick in some areas.
NASA/JPL/Cornell
