Lovers of aviation and space can rejoice, as the National Air and Space Museum is set to reopen this week, on Friday, Oct. 14.
The beloved Smithsonian closed in March to undergo renovations.
“This is one of the most exciting times in the National Air and Space Museum’s history,” Chris Browne, the museum’s John and Adrienne Mars director, said in a press release. “When we open the first reimagined galleries, we hope all visitors are inspired by artifacts on display for the first time, favorite icons of aerospace presented in new ways and diverse storytelling.”
The Oct. 14 reopening will feature eight new galleries—“America by Air,” “Destination Moon,” “Early Flight,” “Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery,” “Nation of Speed,” “One World Connected,” “Thomas W. Haas We All Fly,” and “Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Aerial Age”—while half of the museum will remain closed as renovations continue.
Though it’s still a free institution, the National Air and Space Museum will require timed entry passes from its opening through Spring 2023.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the museum began releasing passes for six-week periods. A single person can only reserve six passes at a time.
For a full list of the galleries and the pass-release schedule you can visit airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc.