Virginia Air & Space Science Center is where discovery, innovation, and imagination come together for explorers of all ages. As the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center, the museum offers an exciting journey through aviation and space exploration, featuring more than 30 historic aircraft, rare spaceflight artifacts, and over 35 interactive, hands-on STEM exhibits designed to inspire curiosity and learning.
Visitors can experience legendary artifacts, including the Apollo 12 Command Module “Yankee Clipper,” the Mercury and Gemini capsules, and the Orion Pad Abort-Test Vehicle. Guests can stand inches away from real spacecraft that traveled through space, view authentic moon and Mars rocks, and explore exhibits that highlight the history and future of human exploration.
More than a museum, the Center is filled with immersive activities that make science exciting for the whole family. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to fly simulators, create sonic booms, experiment with engineering concepts, travel virtually to Mars, create black holes, land on the moon, and explore touch-table learning stations. These hands-on experiences encourage family engagement by allowing children and adults to discover, experiment, and learn together in a fun and memorable environment.
A highlight of every visit is the giant IMAX theater, featuring breathtaking educational films and cinematic experiences on a massive five-story screen with immersive digital sound. The theater brings the wonders of nature, aviation, and space exploration to life, making visitors feel as though they are traveling beyond Earth themselves.
The mission of the Virginia Air & Space Science Center is “to ignite curiosity and innovation in STEM through education, discovery, and interactive experiences for explorers of all ages.” Through dynamic exhibits and inspiring educational opportunities, the Center encourages visitors to imagine tomorrow’s possibilities and explore the future of space, technology, and scientific advancement
