New Mexico Museum of Space History to Re-Open at Limited Capacity

On National Space Day on May 7, the New Mexico Museum of Space History will re-open to the public. The said museum is a division of the state's Department of Cultural Affairs in Alamogordo.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Wednesday until Sunday at a limited capacity.

Based on the latest update, it will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. There is also a temporary reduction on each individual's $5 entry fee because of an ongoing renovation and other projects.

Constructions and Renovations

According to KFOX14, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum, Christopher Orwoll, shared that they are all very excited about welcoming the public back into the museum.

The museum director added that while the museum has been closed, they have done a lot of work, and it will continue. Orwoll asked the public to pardon the dust in the museum as they continue the much-needed upgrades all over the building.

The majority of exhibits will remain open, while the newly renovated "Human Spaceflight Gallery" will be open for the first time to the public.

Located on the third floor of the museum, the gallery highlights suits and equipment used on the world's first excursions to space. In addition, a number of never-before-seen artifacts from the archives of the museum will be on display in its re-opening.

It includes two items of particular interest to New Mexico: the Omega Chronograph watch worn by New Mexican astronaut Jack Schmitt during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and the EKG that John Glenn took at the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque just before he becomes one of the first astronauts of America in 1960, Los Alamos Daily Post reported.

More Artifacts at the New Mexico Museum of Space History

In the next few months, more artifacts would be added to the gallery. The gallery is only the first one in the five-year refurbishment of all the galleries and exhibits inside the museum.

A new major exhibit will arise in the New Mexico Museum soon. The construction of "Science Fact vs. Science Fiction" will start soon, which will give visitors a unique experience in seeing an exhibit built from the ground up.

The construction will last for two to three months, and visitors will witness artifact cases being installed and graphic elements being applied. Also, the International Space Hall of Fame Gift Shop inside the museum will re-open on May 7. The Space Hall Gift Shop at the White Sands Mall will also continue in its operations.

Orwoll noted that many of their ongoing projects at the New Mexico Museum of Space History were needed for years, "if not decades."

He also said that the replacement of their 40-year-old elevator was on top of their priority list. Orwoll added that they have also renovated restrooms campus-wide and upgraded electrical and security lights.

Orwoll said many other projects would not have been possible without the support of the Legislature, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the community leaders, Alamogordo Daily News reported.

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