Exhibitions

Satellites (and Sounding Rockets)

July 1, 1976 – 1985

National Air and Space Museum
6th St. & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC

Satellites, Gallery 110, 1st Floor, East Wing

See on Map Floor Plan

This gallery features satellites and sounding rockets used for research, exploration, and service to society.

Highlights include:

  • Satellite Array, 20 satellites, including Pioneer 1, Explorer 10, Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-E, the Improved Tiros Observation Satellite, and Transit 5
  • Sounding Rockets, 9 unmanned rocket research vehicles that probed the upper reaches of our atmosphere
  • Gravity Well demonstrates the importance of velocity to space flight; visitor operated
  • Stine Collection of Model Rockets illustrates the development of this hobby and introduces examples of experiments that may be undertaken by model rocketeers
  • Meteorological Display (Today's Weather Unit) shows real-time satellite images on TV screen ( added March 1, 1980)