The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum opened a companion facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 2003, on the Washington Dulles International Airport property in Chantilly, Virginia. The museum offers a second location, about a half-hour drive from Washington, DC, to display the massive space shuttle Discovery, Lockheed SR-71, and numerous airplanes, spacecraft, and other artifacts that the Smithsonian’s National Mall location cannot. accommodate.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center offers spectacular views of an upside-down aerobatic plane, World War II fighters seeking victory, or numerous engines, rockets, satellites, gliders, helicopters, planes, microlights and flying machines experimental. .
Observe air traffic departing and arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport from the 164-foot Donald D. Engen Observation Tower. The tower displays air traffic control equipment that replicates that used in a functioning airport control tower.
Ver fotos del Centro Udvar-Hazy
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an educational institution designed to captivate people of all ages. Doors are open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, seven days a week. Admission is free, however public parking is $ 15. Free parking is available for cars arriving after 4pm. M. The center has an IMAX theater and offers flight simulator rides for a fee.
There is a cafe and a museum shop.
Direction
14390 Air & Space Museum Pkwy
Chantilly, VA
(202)633-1000
Directions: Take VA-267 W to Dulles Airport Exit 9A on VA-28 S Merge onto Virginia 28 S Exit Air and Space Museum Pkwy W. See a map
There is no direct metro service to the Udvar-Hazy Center. You can take a combination of MetroRail and / or MetroBus to get to Dulles International Airport or downtown Dulles, where you can transfer to a Virginia regional transit bus that goes directly to the facility.
Visiting tips
- The museum hosts many great events including lectures, family days, demonstrations, gallery talks, storytelling, and more. Check the schedule and plan your visit accordingly.
- Arrive early in the day as exhibits will be less crowded or arrive after 4pm for free parking.
- Buy Imax, Planetarium or Simulator travel tickets in advance to save time.
- Bring a camera and enjoy some great photos.
Exhibition stations at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Boeing Aviation Hangar
- Aerobatic flight: the station has aircraft used for precision maneuvers for competitions and performances in air shows. Highlights include the Pitts Special S-1C Little Stinker , the Monocoupe 110 Special Little Butch, and the Loudenslager Laser 200 Beautiful Obsession .
- Commercial aviation: Companies use commercial airplanes to increase travel flexibility and decrease time spent at airports. This exhibit features a Lear Jet 23 and the Grumman G-21 Goose .
- Cold War Aviation – This station has aircraft used for aerial reconnaissance. Aircraft on display include Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Bell H-13J, and Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star.
- Commercial Aviation – This station features the evolution of commercial aviation from the early 20th century to the present day and includes the Concorde, Air France’s first supersonic passenger aircraft, and the Boeing 367-80 Stratoliner.
- General Aviation —This station has general aviation aircraft — aircraft not carried by commercial or military carriers. Highlights include the Piper J-3 Cub, the Grumman G-22 Gulfhawk II, and the Arrow Sport A2-60.
- Interwar Military Aviation – Many unique and only surviving aircraft developed between WWI and WWII are on display. The evolution of this type of aircraft can be seen through the Boeing P-26A Peashooter , Loening OA-1A San Francisco and the Curtis F9C-2 Sparrowhawk .
- Korean and Vietnam Aviation: Highlights include the McDonnell F-4S Phantom, the Grumman A-6E Intruder, the North American F-86A Saber, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, and the Bell UH-1H Iroquois Smokey III.
- Modern Military Aviation – This station explores the evolution of aviation technology and the nature of air warfare. The Lockheed Martin X-35B Joint Strike Fighter stands out.
- Pre-1920 Aviation – This station highlights the transformation of the aircraft from an exciting new invention to a practical utility machine and features some early designs: the Caudron G.4, Langley Aerodome A, Nieuport 28C 1, and SPAD XVI.
- Sport Aviation – Sport aviation refers to any non-commercial, non-commercial, and non-military flight. These planes are often home-built and can come in the form of hang gliders, gliders, gliders, and others dating back to the early days of aviation. Highlights at this station include the Grob 102 Standard Astir III, the Monnett Moni, the Bowlus du Pont IS-2100 Senior Albatross Falcon, and the Arlington Sisu 1A.
- Ultralight Aircraft – Ultralight aircraft gained popularity after 1975, when John K. Moody demonstrated their ability to take off with takeoffs and landings on level ground. This station features the Cosmos Phase II Ultralight, the Ultraflight Lazair SS EC and the American Aerolights Double Eagle.
- Vertical Flight – This station explores the evolution of rotary wing aircraft and their valuable and essential role in the military. Highlights include the Bell XV-15 TRRA (Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft), the Bell 47B, and the Autogyro Company of America AC-35.
- WWII Aviation – This station follows the evolution of the aircraft used in WWII as the demand for technology and efficiency increases. Featured aircraft include the Boeing B-29 Enola Gay , the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the Lockheed Lightning P-38J-10-LO.
- WWII German Aviation – This station explores the rise and fall of German aviation in WWII. Highlights include the Arado Ar 234 B Blitz (Lightning), the Dornier Do 335A-1 Pfeil (Arrow), and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190-F.
Hangar espacial James S. McDonnell
- Satellite Applications: This station explores how satellites have evolved to accommodate both national security and civilian needs. Highlights include the Corona Film Return Capsule, Data Relay and Tracking Satellite, Relay Communications Satellite 1, Agena-B Top Stage, and Sirius FM-4 Broadcast Satellite.
- Human Space Flight – This station highlights the evolution of humans on spaceships. Highlights include the space shuttle Discovery , the manned maneuvering unit, the Mercury 15B Freedom 7 11 capsule, and the mobile quarantine facility.
- Rockets and Missiles: Rockets and missiles were transformed in the 1900s to launch human explorers, satellites, telescopes, and robotic spacecraft into space. Some highlights include the Redstone missile, the Loon missile, the Goddard 1935 A-Series rocket, and the Henschel Hs 293.
- Space Science – This station showcases vehicles that traveled in Earth’s upper atmosphere or beyond. Collection highlights include the Mars Pathfinder Lander and Sojourner Rover, the Spartan 201 satellite, and the Vega solar system probe bus and landing apparatus.
The National Air and Space Museum is one of the most popular museums in the world with more than 8 million visitors each year. The museum maintains the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft and is a center for historical research on related science and technology.
Website: airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
