Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

This impressive Smithsonian-affiliated facility houses one of the most comprehensive space museums in existence and offers the Carey IMAX Dome Theater; Dr. Goddard’s Laboratory – a live rocket science demonstration; the Justice Planetarium Theater with both star and laser shows; and a host of educational programs.

The Cosmosphere is home to the actual Apollo 13 command module “Odyssey”, an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, a full-scale model of the Space Shuttle, German V-1 and V-2 rockets, and the world’s largest collection of Soviet space artifacts in the Western world.

The Hall of Space Museum features artifacts from both the U.S. and Soviet space programs and tells the story of the Space Race like no other museum in the world can. The Apollo Gallery, a comprehensive exhibit devoted to the Apollo era and the dramatic race to the Moon, opened in 2001 and features hundreds of historical artifacts.

The Liberty Bell 7 was restored at the Cosmosphere after being recovered from nearly 40 years on the ocean floor. Following a nationwide Discovery Channel tour, the Liberty Bell 7 will return and be permanently housed at the Cosmosphere.

The Cosmosphere offers the Future Astronaut Training Program each Summer and the Elderhostel Astronaut Training Program each Fall. Throughout the year a variety of programs from stargazing to hands-on experiments are also offered. The Cargo Bay Gift Store offers a unique selection of space collectibles and gifts.