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The Intrepid Museum Hosts Largest Exhibit Ever
Given the historical significance of navy ships being responsible for recovering Apollo crews and spacecraft upon their return from the moon, it is fitting that the Intrepid Museum, a former aircraft carrier, is hosting the largest temporary exhibit in its history, themed around the first lunar landings.
“Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” Exhibit
The exhibit, aptly named “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” takes visitors on a journey through the remarkable history of humanity’s ventures beyond Earth and showcases the incredible individuals who made it all possible. While the USS Intrepid did not play a direct role in the Apollo recoveries, it has become a renowned sea, air, and space museum, even housing NASA’s prototype space shuttle orbiter.
Kate Good, the space curator at the Intrepid Museum, highlighted how the exhibit delves deeply into the perseverance and determination that propelled humans to the moon and into space exploration as a whole. She emphasized the underlying theme of the space race, showcasing the intense drive to achieve groundbreaking milestones and technologies.
Focus on Space History and Achievements
The content of the exhibit emphasizes the evolution from the Mercury and Gemini projects to the space shuttle era, culminating in the museum’s iconic shuttle Enterprise. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the significant individuals, political landscapes, and STEM advancements that have strengthened and propelled the U.S. space program to new heights.
Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and Flying Fish, a renowned exhibition company, “Apollo” utilizes a vast array of photographs, artifacts, and interactive experiences to illustrate the sacrifices and motivations that drove the United States and the former Soviet Union to pursue lunar exploration.
Immersive Experience and Rare Artifacts
Spanning 9,000 square feet within the Intrepid’s space shuttle pavilion, “Apollo” immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of the 1960s space race. The exhibit showcases notable artifacts rarely seen by the public, including items such as German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun’s drafting set, an authentic nose cone from a Jupiter rocket, and a Soviet SK-1 spacesuit akin to what Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, wore.
One of the prized possessions on display is the hand casts used to tailor the spacesuit gloves for the Apollo 11 crew, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Noteworthy details such as Michael Collins’ wedding band imprint on his cast add a unique touch to the exhibit.
Interactive Elements and Special Events
Aside from viewing historical artifacts, visitors can interact with the exhibit by touching a lunar meteorite and leaving their marks in lunar dust on a digital moon surface floor. Additionally, guests can climb aboard a replica of an Apollo lunar rover for an exclusive photo opportunity.
The Intrepid Museum has provided additional content accessible through the ‘Bloomberg Connects’ app, offering QR codes that lead visitors to more information regarding key historical events and NASA’s current Artemis program.
The exhibit is further enriched by scheduled events such as a virtual presentation featuring astronaut Fred Haise, who shares his experiences from Apollo 13. Onsite, the museum plans to host Astro Live nights with exhibit-related activities to engage visitors.
With the support of entrepreneur and private astronaut Greg Olsen, whose Soyuz spacecraft is also on display at the museum, the Intrepid has brought the “Apollo” exhibit to life. Previous tour stops across various museums and science centers have paved the way for this grand showcase of space exploration history.
Visit “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon”
“Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” will be on display at the Intrepid Museum from March 26 to September 2. It offers a comprehensive look at humanity’s journey to the moon and the pivotal events that shaped space exploration as we know it today.
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