WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum opened five new galleries on Wednesday, July 1, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its iconic building on the National Mall and in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The final two renovated galleries are scheduled to open this fall, completing a multi-year transformation of the museum.
“We celebrate the nation’s remarkable achievements in aviation and space exploration every day,” said Chris Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the museum. “As we finish our renovation this year, visitors will now be able to enjoy the Smithsonian’s world-class aerospace collection in a modern facility, one that will last the next 50 years and beyond.”
The galleries opening July 1 are: Flight and the Arts Center; Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air; U.S. National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe; RTX Living in the Space Age; and TEXTRON How Things Fly. They feature newly displayed artifacts such as the Il-2 Shturmovik attack aircraft and the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket, alongside favorites like the North American P-51D Mustang, Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, Hubble Space Telescope, Skylab, and the DTM Image Tube Spectrograph used by astronomer Vera Rubin.
Credit: Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, Mark Avino
New interactives and technology enhance the visitor experience. The redesigned “TEXTRON How Things Fly” includes hands-on activities for younger guests, such as sitting in a Cessna Skyhawk cockpit. The Flight and the Arts Center debuts with exhibitions including “The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight.”
The project involved redesigning all 20 galleries, refacing the exterior, replacing mechanical systems, and making other upgrades. The first phase opened in October 2022, and the second in July 2025. The museum continues to offer programming for the building’s 50th anniversary, including films, lectures, merchandise, and digital content.
The National Air and Space Museum on the Mall (650 Jefferson Drive S.W.) is open daily except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free timed-entry passes are required. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, is also open daily (except Dec. 25) with free admission and no timed passes required (parking $15).
Southern Maryland residents can easily access both locations for family-friendly exploration of aviation and space history. More details are available on the museum’s website.
