Udvar Hazy Center

Oldest child is home on spring break.  On Monday, we decided that we were going to head to one of the Smithsonian Museums.  We quickly decided upon the Udvar-Hazy center, which is adjacent to Dulles Airport.  It's been several years since we've been there, and the sweet siren call of airplanes just couldn't be resisted. 

There is no admission to any of the Smithsonian Museums, but this museum does ask for a parking fee.  We gladly paid the fee, knowing that the money goes towards collection maintenance.

As you walk into the museum, directly ahead of you, you see the Space Shuttle Discovery looming over the catwalks.  I took this picture from the catwalk, looking down into the gallery.  Just to give you an idea of how big that shuttle really is, look at the size of the people on the ground next the the shuttle.  It's massive. 

It's hard to believe you can get this close to the shuttle.  I left this picture big so that you can see the heat resistance tiles on the bottom as well as the wear and tear on the outside of the shuttle from multiple re-entries into Earth's atmosphere.

Two separate super computers.  The one on the right, I recognize.  Dad used this one when he worked on the programming for his Master's Degree.  My phone has more computing power than this computer does.  Yet, this computer helped to design the first manned space flights and put people on the moon.  Think about that for a while - when my Dad was using this computer, he found his slide rule to be faster and less frustrating.  How things have changed.

The view down the catwalks to the right side - housing the modern airplanes.  The Wright Flyer, Enola Gay, Commercial aircraft, etc. are all located on the left side.  The space shuttle is straight ahead.

The conservation lab.  This is my favorite part of the museum!  I love watching the airplanes be restored.  You can watch the conservation guys at work on these gorgeous machines.  I see a modern day coast guard helicopter - and wait, what's that white circular stuff?  Bonus points to anyone who recognizes it!

Outside of the lab, on the observation level, the Smithsonian has signage letting you know what's being worked on and where to find it, as well as the significance of what you're looking at.

This is Mercury Friendship 7.

Flak Bait - as listed on the sign board posted above.

My favorite juxtaposition - Flak Bait sitting next to Gemini 4.

That big plane in the middle is the Sikorsky.

In addition to the I-Max theater, the museum has an observation tower.  This particular day was clear, and we could see out to the Blue Ridge Mountains to the West and Sugar Loaf Mountain to the North.  You can also watch airplanes take off and land from this perch. 

If you'd like to find out more about the Udvar Hazy Center, click here.

For a fascinating look at the Smithosonian's Air Space Blog, specifically the article entitled "Investigating the Writing on Columbia's Walls", click here.

Are you already planning your trip to the Smithsonian?