13 Incredible Space Museums in the U.S. Every Traveler Should Visit

"More than six decades ago, the United States launched its first satellite into Earth orbit, turning the dream of spaceflight into reality. Space tourism may be inching closer, but until off-planet travel is within reach for everyone, the best way to dive into all things intergalactic is to visit a space museum. In addition to being a fun way to spend an afternoon, these institutions can help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers."

"Moonshot Museum opened in 2022 and was Pennsylvania's first space museum as well as the first in the world to focus on inspiring young people to pursue a career in the modern space industry. The museum is located within the headquarters of Astrobotic, a company that builds lunar landers for NASA and commercial clients. Through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, visitors get an unobstructed view into a real spacecraft clean room, where lander models like Peregrine and Griffin (which will one day land on the moon)"

Space museums provide accessible, inspiring experiences that connect visitors with the history and future of spaceflight and encourage STEM careers. Moonshot Museum opened in 2022 as Pennsylvania's first space museum and the world's first to emphasize guiding young people toward careers in the modern space industry. The museum occupies Astrobotic's headquarters and features a floor-to-ceiling glass view into an active spacecraft clean room where lunar lander models such as Peregrine and Griffin were developed. Interactive exhibits simulate the full arc of a contemporary moon mission—from design through surface landing—while spotlighting real-world aerospace career paths.

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