As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of landing a man on the moon, July 20, 1969, Raytheon joins the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum as a sponsor of its Apollo celebrations to ignite interest in future space exploration and innovation. The museum’s commemoration of the Apollo program will continue through fall 2019. 

The National Air and Space Museum received RocketMotorTwo, the hybrid engine that powered Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, called VSS Unity, into space for the first time Dec. 13, 2018. This historic flight showcased Virgin Galactic’s newest vehicle, capable of carrying up to six passengers into space. RocketMotorTwo will eventually be displayed in the “Future of Spaceflight” exhibition, scheduled to open in 2024 as part of the museum’s seven-year renovation.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has begun the first major phase of the renovation of the building on the National Mall with the closure of nine galleries. Lane and sidewalk closures around the building on Jefferson Drive and Seventh Street began in early January and will remain in place for the next three years.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has received a $2 million gift from Boeing to sponsor the national Apollo 50th anniversary celebration. Programming began this fall and will span through the anniversary of the first moon landing July 20, with celebrations at the museum and on the National Mall. Boeing’s sponsorship will include support of the “Spirit of Apollo” event commemorating Apollo 8 at the National Cathedral, Dec. 11, the five-day celebration to commemorate Apollo 11, July 16—20, 2019, and a myriad of education and community engagement activities from now through the end of 2019.

The National Air and Space Museum will hold the next GE Aviation Lecture Dec. 5. “Breaking Boundaries in the Sky” will feature aviators from diverse backgrounds sharing how they overcame barriers to become commercial airline pilots. Speakers include Beverly Bass, first female pilot to be named captain by American Airlines; Brad Lang, Delta Captain and son of a Tuskegee Airman; and Refilwe Ledwaba, a South African social entrepreneur and pilot. The lecture will be presented at the museum in Washington, D.C and online at 8 p.m.

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will celebrate 15 years of operation Dec. 15. Since opening, it has become a must-see destination and one of nation’s most popular museums. As of Nov. 28, nearly 20 million people have visited the center. The museum will commemorate this milestone with a day-long celebration with activities, expert talks and musical performances.

The National Air and Space Museum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8, the first flight to the moon, with a special event at Washington National Cathedral Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and Veterans Day through the exhibition “Artist Soldiers: Artistic Expression in the First World War” and a variety of programming. “Artist Soldiers” opened on the anniversary of the United States entering WWI, April 6, 2017, and features artwork by professional artists recruited to serve in the AEF during the war and art by soldiers on the front lines. It will close Nov. 12, the day after the centennial of the war. Programming for all ages will take place throughout the month of November and Veterans Day weekend at both museum buildings.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will debut the “Mars Experience” at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 20, during the annual “Air & Scare” event. Using a traditional school bus outfitted with audio and visual technology, the interactive experience will virtually transport visitors to the Red Planet and give them a chance to see what it might be like to be on Mars. The “Mars Experience” was produced and donated to the museum by Lockheed Martin.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will host its annual “Air & Scare” family day from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Visitors will enjoy safe, indoor trick-or-treating and spooky activities for all ages at this free event.