My trip to the Air and Space Museum :D

[bigdad84]

So, after many years in the planning, I finally got around to making it to the Air and Space Museum (both of them). I seen everything from the Soyuz/Apollo mission, lunar suits, LEM, Skylab, Hubble, Apollo 11/Gemini/Mercury Command Modules, Space Shuttle Discovery, and even an F-1 Engine.

They say that you don't understand the actual size of these beautiful spacecraft until you actually stand next to it, which is VERY true.

I even joined the KSP Mile High Club

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, but here are some

KSP Mile High Club

Apollo 11 Command Module Headshield

Apollo 16 Lunar EVA Suit (Hard to believe this thing was actually on the moon! You can still see the dust!)

You can't forget the LEM. This has to be one of the oddest looking operational spacecraft ever. I love it!

And last but not least, the Space Shuttle Discovery! It looks pretty rough up close though, once again, hard to believe this thing has been to space.

All in All, this has to be one of the best vacations I have been on. When I was there, everything was Space Shuttle this, Space Shuttle that... Maybe someday people will focus back on the Apollo missions and realize how great of achievements they actually were!

[SuperWeegee4000]

Nice shots! I was there a couple months ago - the shuttle must be a recent addition, however. It's astounding how small the Apollo 11 CM is - did three people really fit in that?

It's just amazing to look at something like a space suit or a capsule or a navball and think "Wow. This was actually in space." Wouldn't you agree?

[Custard Donut (In Space)]

Looks like a lot of fun, it's strange seeing the suit, i get a bit of emotion when i do because i think the story of the three astronauts going to the moon is probably one of the very good things we did as a species, it brought a lot of people together who are very often apart.

[OrbitusII]

Which one did you go to? I've been to Huntsville myself, and it certainly is true what they say about not understanding the size of things until you get up close, the Saturn V was gigantic!

Picture:

For scale, I'm 5 feet 7 inches. And yes, I'm wearing my KSP shirt; I simply couldn't resist!

I also got to see the Apollo 16 capsule.

Sorry about the glare from the windows.

It's really cool to think that we took people to the moon in this, and that we launched them using Kerosene!

[The Destroyer]

Holy jeezus that Saturn V is MASSIVE! The engines... wow.

[Kimberly]

I've been to the National Air and Space Museum twice, and it is plain awesome! There's a good reason it's the most-visited museum in the world (or so I read). They've got an IMAX theater, a flight simulator, old aircraft, new aircraft, spacecraft...definitely one of the best museums I've ever been to. Unfortunately I didn't go to their Virginia location, where they keep the really big stuff.

[bigdad84]

Yes, the Space Shuttle, Blackbird, etc are all located about 30 miles outside D.C. at Dulles Airport. Well worth the drive if you happen to be around D.C.

[hotmailcompany52]

Well, all I can say is that your really lucky. I'm not going to the sates any time soon.

And the Saturn V was massive!

[dunz]

*Sees picture of Saturn V* "Yeah that is one big rocket allright *scrolling down* "My god! IT'S GIGANTIC"

[Capt'n Skunky]

These museums are in my back yard basically. Been to Air & Space a zillion times over the past 40 years. Still need to get out to Udvar-Hazy since they got a real shuttle now. Seeing the SR-71 up close is awesome.

Cheers!

Capt'n Skunky

KSP Community Manager

[HeadHunter67]

Apollo 16 Lunar EVA Suit (Hard to believe this thing was actually on the moon! You can still see the dust!)

I hate to nitpick, because it's exciting to hear about your trip and see the awesome pics... but that's Apollo 15.

That's David Scott's suit. Along with John Young and Pete Conrad (who shared my birthday!), he is my favorite astronaut - also we may be related.

My wife and I are planning to return to DC for our "second honeymoon" next year and this museum is at the top of our list to see.

[bigdad84]

I hate to nitpick, because it's exciting to hear about your trip and see the awesome pics... but that's Apollo 15.

That's David Scott's suit. Along with John Young and Pete Conrad (who shared my birthday!), he is my favorite astronaut - also we may be related.

My wife and I are planning to return to DC for our "second honeymoon" next year and this museum is at the top of our list to see.

Was it 15, I couldn't remember for sure? You're right, if you zoom in on the suit, it says Scott.

[rdfox]

Discovery was put in the Udvar-Hazy center after the end of the Shuttle program, replacing Enterprise, which had been there for years and is now at the Intrepid museum in NYC.

And the reason she looks so rough is that she's been to space so many times,s y'know. They were a lot prettier before that first flight!

[Valley]

Every time I visit the one on the National Mall I make sure to touch the moon rock. Every since I was a kid I always touch it. Going to the Moon is kind of what really added fuel to the fire of going out into space...did not start it...but still got it going.

[bigdad84]

Every time I visit the one on the National Mall I make sure to touch the moon rock. Every since I was a kid I always touch it. Going to the Moon is kind of what really added fuel to the fire of going out into space...did not start it...but still got it going.

That moon rock is completely smooth and worn down from everybody touching it...