People come from all over the world to see the story told by the Cosmosphere’s Hall of Space Museum. Perhaps it was best summed up by the Artemis II Crew when they said,
“Kansas has the best space museum on planet Earth!”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
The Hall of Space begins with the story of the WWII German rocket design that evolved to power the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. As you proceed through the galleries, you will see the story of the space race between the United States and the U.S.S.R. unfold. You’ll learn about technological and cultural differences between the two superpowers through their intense competition to be the first to reach the Moon.
Included in your ticket price is CosmoKids, an interactive STEAM learning experience.
Remember, the Hall of Space admission is always free for residents of Reno County!*
The renovated Hall of Space Museum is currently open for visitors to walk through. While many artifacts will be on display during this time, the exhibits won’t be fully completed until Winter 2024.
Until then, a Gallery Guide and map are available here to assist with identifying significant artifacts on display in the newly renovated galleries.
Grand Lobby
Don’t forget to look up and take in the views of our massive Grand Lobby. Stand on the wing of the shuttle for a great selfie spot, or venture up to the Observation Deck to take it all in one shot!
Significant artifacts
FLOWN
• SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane
• Northrop T-38 Talon
REPLICA
• Full-scale replica of the space shuttle, Endeavour
V-2 Gallery
In creating the ultimate weapons of war, Hitler’s Germany laid the groundwork for future space travel. Rare V-1 and V-2 rockets highlight this World War II exhibit, demonstrating how V-2 technology made space exploration possible.
Significant artifacts
FLIGHT-READY BACKUP
• V-1 “Buzz Bomb”
• ME-163 Comet Rocket Engine
• V-2 Rocket
X-Plane Gallery
Learn how testing supersonic speeds in aircraft prepared us for human spaceflight. The X-Plane test pilots are the first true heroes of early spaceflight.
Significant artifacts
FLOWN
• Joe Engle’s XMC-2 Flight Suit
REPLICA
• Bell X-1 Rocket Plane movie prop from the movie The Right Stuff
GENUINE
• XLR-11 Engine
• Sonic Wind II Rocket Sled
Redstone, Sputnik, Kennedy
Chronicling the first steps of both the U.S. and Soviet space programs, this gallery brings to life the Cold War standoff between the superpowers and the early drama of the Space Race. Against those odds, President Kennedy issued a challenge that changed everything.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• Wernher von Braun’s Slide Rule
• Sergei Korolev’s Slide Rule
• Luna Sphere
• Mercury-Atlas 1 (MA-1)
FLIGHT-READY BACKUP
• Redstone Atomic Warhead
• Sputnik 1
ENGINEERING MODEL
• Sputnik II
• Pioneer 4 Cutaway
REPLICA
• Vanguard 1
• Explorer 1
Kennedy & Khrushchev
After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West Germany. To prevent citizens from migrating west, a wall was built along the border.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• German Wall
Missile Row
The RD-107 engines were considered the powerhouse behind the Soviets leading the Space Race. In the late 1950s, they were the most power engines on Earth. They are so reliable that a version is still used in the Russian space program today.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• RD-107 Engine
Rocket Gallery
The Space Race hinged on the development of rocket engines, crucial for launching spacecraft into orbit. Advances in rocket engine technology enabled successful satellite launches, crewed space missions, and landing on the Moon.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• Redstone Engine
• Atlas Booster Engine
• 109-foot Titan rocket
FLOWN
• SpaceX Falcon 9 Merlin Engine
ENGINEERING MODEL
• Pioneer 4 Cutaway
Human Spaceflight
This renovated gallery is open. While many artifacts are on display during this time, the exhibits and graphics won’t be fully completed until late 2024. Come face-to-face with American heroes and Soviet secrets. Actual spacecraft, hardware, spacesuits, and training gear from the American and Russian programs capture the ingenuity, accomplishment, and tension of the times as two Cold War enemies competed in the race to land humans on the Moon.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• Volga Airlock
• Agena Target Adapter
ENGINEERING MODEL
• Voskhod
FLOWN
• Gemini X spacecraft
• Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft
• Soviet Vostok capsule
Moonshot Gallery
This renovated gallery is open. While many artifacts are on display during this time, the exhibits and graphics won’t be fully completed until late 2024. From Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon, to Gene Cernan’s last steps on the lunar surface, this gallery embodies one the nation’s most amazing technological achievements: America’s presence on the Moon.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• One of the three Apollo White Rooms used for the launch of Apollo Missions
• Mission Control Console
REPLICA
• Lunar Module
• Lunar Rover
FLOWN
• Apollo Spacesuits
• Apollo F-1 Engines
• Apollo 13 Command Module, Odyssey
• Apollo 11 Moon Rock and more
ENGINEERING MODEL
• Lunar Module Ascent Stage
Planetarium & Dr. Goddard's Lab Experience
Patty Carey, founder of the Cosmosphere, deeply loved astronomy and believed in making the wonders of the sky accessible to all. She brought her dream to life with determination and passio by establishing the first planetarium in Kansas. This monumental achievement culminated in the opening of “Hutchinson’s Theatre of the Skies” on December 2, 1962, marking a significant milestone in the state’s pursuit of astronomical exploration. This gallery is home to Dr. Goddard’s Lab and the Justice Planetarium.
Significant artifacts
GENUINE
• Patty Carey Starball
• Robert McCall painting
ENGINEERING MODEL
• Surveyor
REPLICA
• Mars Rover
*Reno County residents receive free admission to the Hall of Space Museum with proof of ID. Please check-in at Box Office upon arrival to receive your ticket.
