Exhibits

Visit our Special Exhibitions page to see temporary or traveling exhibits.

XF8U-2 Crusader Jet | redstone rocket plaza | tribute to two NH heroes
space shuttle model | looking at earth - looking beyond
expedition to mars | walk on the sun | across the spectrum | mercury capsule
earth from space poster exhibit | living and working in space | planetarium theater

National Standards Related to STEM

XF8U-2 Crusader Jet
Originally built by Vought Aircraft, this particular Crusader – BU#140448 – has been refurbished to its original glory by Vought. Originally an F8U-1, this Crusader was the 5th airplane to come off of Vought’s production line and was the first production Crusader to be delivered to the US Marine Corps. Later, it was returned to Vought, which modified it into the second XF8U-2 prototype. This prototype underwent extensive flight testing. After being retired from service, it served as a gate guard at the Naval Air Station Dallas, was next exhibited by the Pate Museum (Borland TX), and then at the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation before it was transported for exhibition here at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. The next stage will be to lift this Crusader back into the air and suspend it from the atrium ceiling. Click here to learn more about how you can help restore this jet to its full glory!

Redstone Rocket Plaza
The Redstone Plaza features a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket surrounded by an interactive, multi-sensory exhibit that tells the story of New Hampshire hero Alan Shepard, his historic flight as the first American in space on May 5, 1961, and the story of the Space Race.

Tribute to Two NH Heroes
Take a personal look at the two space pioneers to whom the Discovery Center is dedicated: America's first astronaut, Alan Shepard, and NASA's Teacher-in-Space, Christa McAuliffe.

www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/mcauliffe.html
www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/shepard-alan.html

Space Shuttle Model
Discover a large-scale model of a space shuttle with an external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, surrounded by actual items that New England astronauts brought with them into space. Experience life "on orbit" with a touch screen video interactive.

Looking at Earth - Looking Beyond
Discover how we can image our universe, find out how Earth compares to other planets and moons in the solar system, see our planet in a whole new way and even try your hand at being a weather forecaster in this fully interactive exhibit gallery.

Expedition to Mars
Plan an expedition to Mars and see if you've got what it takes to go to the Red Planet!

Walk on the Sun
Experience our closest star with all of your senses! Walk on the Sun projects images of our Sun onto a large platform and as you move across it, you'll trigger music loaded with information. Listen to the pitch - it indicates the brightness of the area. The higher the pitch, the brighter the area, signifying phenomena like sunspots. The instrument that makes the sound changes too - it tells you the color and temperature of the Sun. Unlock the mysteries of our Sun for yourself!

Across the Spectrum
Experience the electromagnetic spectrum like you never have before! Dial in a section of the spectrum and see, hear and even feel it! Made possible by NASA Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) Education and Public Outreach Program.

Mercury Capsule
A full-sized model of the capsule that took Alan Shepard to space, this Mercury capsule looks so real you might never know it is a replica!

Earth from Space Poster Exhibit
See our home planet as you never have before! Beautiful satellite images of Earth can be seen in this poster exhibit from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Institution. Curriculum guides for middle and high school students, "zoomable" satellite images and much more are available on the exhibition's website www.earthfromspace.si.edu.

Living and Working in Space
Experience some pieces of history as you learn how working in space relates to working here on Earth.

Planetarium Theater
The Discovery Center's 103 seat theater uses state-of-the-art Digital Sky technology, a full-dome video system with a data base of over 110,000 stars, stellar and planetary objects extending out to the edge of the known universe.