In light of the current government shutdown, we want to show our support and appreciation to those impacted. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is proud to offer 50% off general admission for all furloughed government employees and their families. This discount will be available for one week only, ending on October 13. That means admission is just $15 (regularly $30) with a valid government ID! Come explore the wonders of space and science with us!
Winter Hours Alert! Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m through February 28, 2026. Plan your mission accordingly!
Learn about the history of satellites, hear from Chris Crumbly, a former manager of NASA’s Space Launch System’s Payload Integration Office at Marshall Space Flight Center, define different orbits used by satellites, investigate the role of sensors on satellites. and more.
Learn about different types of drones, hear from Casey Calamaio, an engineer who works at the University of Alabama in Huntsville specializing in Unmanned Aircraft System Research, investigate rotary flight, learn about the future of drone technology, the four forces of flight and more.
Learn how telescopes work, hear from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s own Planetarium Director, David Weigel, investigate the effects of lenses and mirrors on light, apply the principles of refraction to create a simple telescope, learn about the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope and more.
Learn about cryptography and encryption, hear from Shawnessy Scott, a senior analyst who works with the space/defense industry in Huntsville Alabama, experiment with ciphers, learn about the history of the Enigma machine and more.
Learn about living and working on the International Space Station, hear from Penny Pettigrew, ISS Payload Communications Manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, calculate daily calorie needs, simulate astronaut food, experiment with mold and rot, learn about Hydroponic Gardens and more.
Learn about the history of rockets, hear from Terry Abel, an aerospace engineer, apply the principles of center of mass and pressure, demonstrate that the thrust of a rocket is a force that can counteract and overcome gravitational force, learn about the Saturn V rocket, the Space Shuttle, Artemis and more.
While we don't know everything about the Universe, we do know that it's expanding. See what an expanding universe looks like and learn how you can make your own!