The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, is located near Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.
It serves as a companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is one of the premier aviation and space exploration museums in the world.
This massive, 760,000-square-foot center features two enormous hangars: the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, both of which house an incredible collection of historic aircraft, spacecraft, and other aerospace artifacts. The most notable exhibits include the Space Shuttle Discovery, the largest and most significant artifact in the collection. Visitors can see the shuttle up close and learn about its missions during its active service in NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.
Other iconic items on display include the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb in 1945, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet-powered aircraft ever built. The museum also features an extensive collection of World War II aircraft, including the German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the P-38 Lightning.
In addition to its aircraft and spacecraft exhibits, the Udvar-Hazy Center offers interactive displays, simulators, and an IMAX theater, where visitors can enjoy aviation and space-themed films on a massive screen. The Donald D. Engen Observation Tower provides panoramic views of Dulles Airport, allowing visitors to watch planes take off and land in real time.
The Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar is another highlight, where visitors can observe ongoing restoration projects of historic aircraft and spacecraft.
With its unparalleled collection and dedication to preserving and sharing the history of aviation and space exploration, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, whether they’re aviation enthusiasts or casual tourists.
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