New Mexico Museum of Space History

New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission Meeting
2025-07-25 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission Meeting
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History
Clyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & Planetarium – Front Classroom
3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History Commission is to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.
AGENDA

20250725 Commission Meeting Public Notice

Skywired: The Story of Radio-Controlled Flight
2025-07-26 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Soar into excitement on Saturday, July 26, as we launch Skywired with an opening day celebration on the second floor of the New Mexico Museum of Space History—a thrilling journey through the captivating world of radio-controlled aviation! This celebration is a testament to the spirit of collaboration between the museum and the Alamogordo RCers, in partnership with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and supported by the Las Cruces and El Paso clubs.
The exhibit also pays homage to the local visionary, George V. Holloman, whose innovative breakthroughs at Holloman Air Force Base were instrumental in transforming RC flight into a global phenomenon. His legacy lives on at Holloman AFB, one of the top training facilities for drone pilots.
Don’t miss the legendary “Big Guff,” a rare chance to see one of only three known in existence. Built in 1937 by Bill Lyon and Robert Moore of El Paso, this aircraft made history as the first radio-controlled model flown in the Southwest. Lyon and Moore used plans published in the 1937 edition of Air Trails magazine to build it. The plane was controlled with a ham radio system so large that it had to be transported in the back of a pickup truck. Remarkably, this aircraft still has its original Forster .99 engine. The wooden propeller was hand-carved by Bill Lyon himself. The plane was restored by Tom Holmsley, a close friend of Bill’s and a fellow model aviation enthusiast.
Stand beneath the wings of history, marvel at the ingenuity that shaped the skies, and discover how dreams, determination, and collaboration have propelled aviation forward. This is your chance to see rare artifacts and meet passionate experts in RC aviation.

NM Museum of Space History’s Launch Pad Lecture: Black Holes: Visualizing the Inconceivable
2025-08-01 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Guest Speaker: Guest Speaker Jon Brinkmann—retired affiliate professor at New Mexico State University and a veteran of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS).
When: Friday, August 1, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM MDT
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Join us on August 1 for an engaging dive into black holes. In this captivating Launch Pad Lecture, Dr. Brinkmann will discuss the evolution of our understanding of black holes—from Ole Rømer’s groundbreaking 1676 discovery about the speed of light to the latest breakthroughs in astrophysics and photography.
Dr. Brinkmann will share insights from his work at the SDSS as a scientific instruments engineer, manager, and systems administrator at Apache Point Observatory near Sunspot, NM. He played a vital role in coordinating the SDSS, which has mapped over a quarter of the sky since 2000, cataloged more than 930,000 galaxies, and transformed our understanding of galaxy evolution, quasars, and the structure of the Milky Way.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into the science of black holes with a true pioneer of modern astronomy, Dr. Brinkmann!
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future. Free to the public. Coffee and donuts provided. For more information, visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

Photo: NASA: Best-Ever Snapshot of a Black Hole’s Jets

The New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium will be closed on Monday, August 4 through Sunday, August 24 for upgrades to the projector system.
2025-08-04 08:00 - 2025-08-24 17:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
The New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium will be closed for upgrades in all our systems. We aim to offer museum visitors an immersive, excellent, and technologically advanced experience through our upgrades, and we are excited for you to experience them. Please check our website and social media for updates on the progress.

Launch Pad Lecture: Trailblazing Women of Space
2025-09-05 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
On September 5, 2025, Carolyn Peeler will highlight the remarkable achievements of women identified by NASA as key trailblazers in the space program. She will explore their diverse backgrounds, their groundbreaking contributions to space exploration, and their ongoing legacies in supporting STEM long after their time at NASA.
Guest Speaker: Carolyn Peeler, military veteran, retired Civil Servant, and President of the Holloman Tuskegee Airman Chapter
When: Friday, September 5, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM MDT
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future. For more information, visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org
Photo courtesy of NASA: April 14, 2010, in the International Space Station, clockwise (from the lower right) are Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Naoko Yamazaki.

Climb the Cube: A 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Honoring Fallen Heroes
2025-09-13 07:30 - 13:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Alamogordo, NM – Be part of a commemorative celebration at the New Mexico Museum of Space History as we honor the bravery of 9/11 first responders with the invigorating Climb the Cube event on Saturday, September 13, 2025!
Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Registration: Opens at 7:30 AM or online at spacetrail.org/sites/stairclimb

* Space is limited, so we strongly encourage participants to register in advance.
Participants can enter a raffle to win a fire helmet, which will be donated and used by an active Chief or Deputy Chief firefighter. (Helmet donated by Milton Blankenship of Casco Industries)
Commemorate your climb with a limited-edition t-shirt for $20.
For details visit spacetrail.org/sites/stairclimb or contact Alamogordo Fire Chief Jerry Ramirez at (575) 439-4298 or email afd@ci.alamogordo.nm.us.
Honor. Remember. Climb the Cube.

Launch Pad Lecture: 49 & Counting - The NM Museum of Space History's Countdown to 50
2025-10-03 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
On October 3, Museum Education Director Michael Shinabery will bring to life the fascinating origins of the New Mexico Museum of Space History with his signature animated style and depth of knowledge. From Dwight Ohlinger’s dream that led to the International Space Hall of Fame to the influential NASA scientists who shaped its legacy, this presentation shows how the museum became part of New Mexico’s bold vision for spaceflight—years before NASA even existed.
Guest Speaker: Michael Shinabery, Director of Education, NM Museum of Space History
When: Friday, October 3, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM MDT
Where: New Horizons Dome Theater, New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future. For more information, visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

Annual Trinity Site Tour
2025-10-18 06:00 - 15:30 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Annual Trinity Site Tour Postponed
Canceled for Saturday, October 18, 2025
6:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (approximate time)
Due to the Federal government shutdown, the Trinity Site Tour has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for Spring 2026. If you would like a refund or more information, please get in touch with the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation at events@spacehalloffame.org or call the gift shop at 575-437-0318.
The Trinity Site is where the first atomic bomb was detonated on 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time July 16, 1945, as part of the Manhattan Project. There, you will walk around Ground Zero of the first atomic bomb (the Gadget), and you will take a shuttle to the McDonald Ranch House, where the plutonium core was assembled. Tours to the public only occur once a year!
Date: Canceled October 18, 2025, future date TBD
Guest check-in: 6:00 AM (NM Museum of Space History)
Tour buses depart: 7:00 AM and return at 3:15 PM (estimated time varies)
Cost: $155.00 per person (Museum members receive 10% discount)
Included with the tour of the Trinity Site is transportation via a comfortable premium bus charter, where you will get an informative presentation on the way. Attendees will be treated to breakfast snacks and lunch, bottled water, and admission into the New Mexico Museum of Space History that day.
Register here: https://www.spacehalloffame.org/trinity-site-tour-registration/
(Deadline for reservation is until all buses are full)
Guest info: Cameras are allowed at Trinity Site; however, they are prohibited everywhere else on White Sands Missile Range. Wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes, and bring a hat, as the southwestern sun can be intense.
Trinity Site Brochure Download:
https://home.army.mil/wsmr/3316/8020/2958/T-site_brochure_S.pdf
Departure Location:
New Mexico Museum of Space History
3198 State Route 2001
Alamogordo, NM 88310

Wings & Water - New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Star Party
2025-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
This is a public star party supported by the NM Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League and Museum Educators. This event is free to the public and will be held at the NMMSH Outdoor Observatory in the upper parking lot.
When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
7:00 PM Constellation show in New Horizons Planetarium
7:45 PM Telescope viewing – Museum Observatory Complex – Upper Parking Lot
Where: NM Museum of Space History
3198 State Rd 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310

Experience the wonder of an autumn starlit night with the Astronomy League and Museum Educators for an evening of celestial discovery at the New Mexico Museum of Space History on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The evening starts with the featured planetarium show, “Wings and Water,” where a museum educator will guide visitors through the fall constellations, including Pisces, Aquarius, Aquila, and Cygnus. Afterward, guests can enjoy live telescope viewing, deep-sky imaging demonstrations, and large-screen displays of celestial objects captured by local astronomers.
Parking: Park in the middle lot; no parking in the upper lot (observation area) ADA parking is available at the Hubbard Building.
Restrooms: Availability during the planetarium show. None after the planetarium show.
In the event of inclement weather, programming will move indoors to the Tombaugh Dome and Planetarium.

New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission Meeting
2025-10-31 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission MeetingDate: Friday, October 31, 2025Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space HistoryClyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & Planetarium – Front Classroom3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History Commission is to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.

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Join us on Sunday for a free live stream of Preservation Moon!
2025-11-02 13:30 - 15:00 UTC | Online
Join us this Sunday for a free live stream of Preservation Moon!
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by landing on the Moon and delivering those unforgettable words from Tranquility Base. This presentation, led by Karen Kincaid Brady, the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s new Executive Director, explores that moment and examines Tranquility Base as a cultural landscape and the importance of its preservation.

Sunday, November 2, 2025
1:30–3:00 PM MT | 2:30–4:00 PM CT
Join live on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981519456?pwd=[REDACTED]

Clean-up Event at the Museum Grounds
2025-11-04 08:30 - 11:30 UTC | NM
Join us in our mission to protect and preserve New Mexico’s natural beauty and help clean up the grounds of the NM Museum of Space History, Alamogordo’s gem.
Through community-driven trash and litter cleanup efforts, we’re making a difference across our stunning landscapes. You are invited to volunteer next Tuesday, on November 4.
Where: Meet us at 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
When: Tuesday, 11/4/2025 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
What to bring: Please bring gloves
If you have questions beforehand, contact Billy Jones at 575-437-2840 ext. 41136, otherwise, meet us at the museum!

Launch Pad Lecture: Storms, Science & Surveyor: The Story of Apollo 12
2025-11-07 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | NM
Join the New Mexico Museum of Space History for the next Launch Pad Lecture on November 7, “Storms, Science & Surveyor: The Story of Apollo 12,” presented by Marie De Leon, Senior Instructional Coordinator at the Museum.
Apollo 12 transformed a lightning‑struck launch into one of NASA’s most precise lunar landings, showcasing extraordinary teamwork, scientific innovation, and engineering that advanced the frontiers of exploration.
WHEN: Friday, November 7, 2025 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: New Horizons Dome Theater, New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo, NM
ADMISSION: Free; coffee and donuts provided.
About the Speaker: Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marie De Leon joined the museum’s education team two years ago, combining her background in psychology with a passion for inspiring curiosity through the powerful stories of space exploration.
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future. For more information, visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

NM Veterans Honored with Free Admission
2025-11-12 | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Veterans and active-duty service members are invited to enjoy free admission to the New Mexico Museum of Space History on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Spouses and children are also welcome to join in at no cost.
On behalf of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, we extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have served and continue to serve our nation. This special day honors your dedication and celebrates New Mexico’s legacy in space exploration.
📍 New Mexico Museum of Space History
3198 State Route 200, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Wednesday was chosen because our museum is always closed on Tuesdays.
For more information. please call 575-437-2840.

Launch Pad Lecture: Preservation Moon - Defining and Preserving the Cultural Landscape of Tranquility Base
2025-12-05 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Join the New Mexico Museum of Space History for the next Launch Pad Lecture on December 5, Preservation Moon: Defining and Preserving the Cultural Landscape of Tranquility Base, presented by our new Executive Director, Karen Kincaid Brady.
Preservation Moon offers a compelling reflection on one of humanity’s most remarkable achievements. On July 20, 1969, at 4:17 PM EDT, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by landing at Tranquility Base. Just hours later, at 10:56 PM EDT, a command center in Houston received Armstrong’s iconic words as he stepped onto the lunar surface, marking a pivotal moment in exploration and in the annals of human history. The program revisits this historic event through captivating communications from the Houston command center, along with archival images, videos, and satellite data. Moreover, Preservation Moon delves into Tranquility Base as a cultural landmark, emphasizing the importance of preserving this extraordinary site for future generations.
WHEN: Friday, December 5, 2025 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: New Horizons Dome Theater, New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo, NM
ADMISSION: Free; co
ffee and donuts providednew executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History and the first female to lead the museum. She brings more than a decade of leadership experience in museum management, historic preservation, and public programming. She previously served as business and programming director at the Neill-Cochran House Museum in Austin, Texas, and as a project manager at R&K Solutions, Inc., where she led successful preservation projects and museum exhibitions. Brady holds master’s degrees in historic preservation and history from the University of Texas at Austin and San Antonio, as well as a graduate certificate in preservation.
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future. For more information, visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

Holiday on the Hill
2025-12-13 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Blast off into holiday fun with a visit to the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo on Saturday, December 13, for “Holiday on the Hill.” From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families can explore the building that houses the New Horizons Planetarium and Dome Theater, where the front classrooms will turn into mission control for festive, make-and-take crafts perfect for young explorers. There will be music and a special appearance from Santa R2D2! Also, enjoy 10% off your holiday shopping at our museum store, and museum members receive 20% off!
Admission: Free admission for children 12 & under

Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture: "Apollo, The Men in the Moon"
2026-01-02 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture
Guest Speaker: Michael Shinabery, NMMSH Education Director
Lecture Topic: “Apollo, The Men in the Moon”
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Date: January 2, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center. Museum staff, and sometimes special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to space future. Free to the public. Coffee and donuts provided. For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
Date: January 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center
The NM Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League meeting is held on the second Thursday of each month in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center and is free to attend. Museum staff and sometimes special guest speakers discuss topics ranging from public observing to off-site adventures. For more information, contact the Museum Outreach Department at 575-437-2840 ext 41135 or visit our website at www.NMSpaceMuseum.org.

The New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium will be closed January 14 and 15 for Staff Training
2026-01-14 - 2026-01-15 | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
The New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium will be closed January 14 and 15 for staff training. It will reopen January 16, 2026.

Join the New Mexico Museum of Space History at the Albuquerque Comic Con
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-18 | Albuquerque Convention Center, NM, United States
Join the New Mexico Museum of Space History at the Albuquerque Comic Con from January 16-18 for three days of Space History fun and mingle with celebrities from the very shows that inspired the hit exhibit Sci-Fi/Sci-Fact, including Star Wars, Firefly, Roswell, and Star Trek. Be sure to stop by and see what’s happening at NMMSH and take a break from the crowd in the Planetarium Sensory Space.

New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission Meeting
2026-01-30 13:30 - 16:00 UTC | Stewart L. Udall Center for Museum Resources, 725 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
PUBLIC NOTICE
The New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission will conduct their regular quarterly meeting on:
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 1:30pm PM MST
Location: Stuart L. Udall Center for Museum Resources
Large Conference Room (2nd Floor)
725 Camino Lejo
Santa Fe, NM 87505
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History Commission is to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.
A copy of the draft Regular Meeting Agenda shall be available at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting from the Museum in Alamogordo, New Mexico, as well as the Museum’s website (https://nmspacemuseum.org/events/list/), and from the Department of Cultural Affairs website (https://www.newmexicoculture.org/about/boards-and-commissions/upcoming-board-meetings) whose office is located at 407 Galisteo, Suite 260, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Angie Rathburn at (575) 437-2840 ext. 41107 or angie.rathburn@dca.nm.gov at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.
Public documents, including the agenda and meeting minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. If a summary or other type of accessible format is needed or for any additional information or assistance, please direct requests to the contact person above.

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Join us for "HAM Day" at the New Mexico Museum of Space History!
2026-01-31 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Ham the astrochimp after his 1961 suborbital flight. Photo by Ralph Morse LIFE Pictures
Alamogordo, NM — America’s Astro-chimp, HAM, and his fellow primate pilots are being remembered for their contributions to the US Space Race during Science Saturday, on January 31, 2026, at the NM Museum of Space History (NMMSH), from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
HAM was launched 157 miles into space on January 31, 1961, paving the way for American Alan Shepard’s flight on May 5, 1961, as well as Yuri Gagarin’s flight one month earlier.
To commemorate the accomplishment, NMMSH is partnering with the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for HAM Day at the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium. The event celebrates the anniversary of the flight and the role chimpanzees played in preparing the way for humans in space. After a short, kid-friendly overview of great apes and early space medicine, museum educators will lead hands-on, great-ape-themed crafts designed for all ages. Families are welcome to drop in at any time during the event, and all supplies are included. There will also be “ham and cheese wheels” to eat, and a homemade costume contest that will be judged by staff.
The name HAM comes from Holloman Aero Medical, where he was trained by Alamogordo resident Edward C. Dittmer Sr., who also suited up HAM and placed him in the Mercury Capsule perched on a Redstone rocket before the launch. Space scientists believed chimps had the intelligence and reasoning ability needed to test their theories about space travel for humans and whether their psychological abilities to perform in the vacuum of space would deteriorate during the flight. You can see one of the chimps’ space couches at NMMSH.
HAM is buried at the NM Museum of Space History in Alamogordo; his marker reads, “HAM proved mankind could live and work in space.”
The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Science Saturday is held held on the last Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium.
Science Saturday is included with Museum admission. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org. Like us at www.facebook.com/NMSpaceMuseum/.

More HAM Day 2026 Details:
WHAT: To commemorate HAM’s launch 157 miles into space on January 31, 1961, paving the way for the US Space program.
WHY: To remember the scientific accomplishment, NMMSH is partnering with the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for an explanation of the role all the Astro-Chimps played in preparing the way for humans in space.
WHERE: The New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium at New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM. Science Saturday is included with Museum admission. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org.
WHEN: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHO: Everyone’s invited, after a short, kid-friendly overview of great apes and early space medicine, museum educators will lead hands-on, great-ape-themed crafts designed for students in grades 2–7. Families are welcome to drop in at any time during the event, and all basic supplies are included. There will also be “ham and cheese wheels” to eat, and a homemade costume contest that will be judged by staff.
Science Saturday is included with Museum admission. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org. Like us at www.facebook.com/NMSpaceMuseum/.

HAM the astrochimp training for his historic flight. Photo courtesy of NASA.

NM Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture: "From Shuttle Camp to Spaceship"
2026-02-06 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture
Guest Speaker: Tori Crichton, Virgin Galactic Propulsion Engineer
Lecture Topic: “From Shuttle Camp to Spaceship”
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Date: February 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
ALAMOGORDO, NM – Join Las Cruces native and Virgin Galactic propulsion engineer Tori Crichton for an engaging look at the thrilling world of commercial spaceflight on Friday, Feb. 6, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. Drawing from personal experiences—from attending shuttle camp at New Mexico Museum of Space History as a child to earning dual degrees at New Mexico State University—Crichton’s presentation explores the engineering behind Virgin Galactic and its systems.
Learn about the innovations that powered VSS Unity’s historic suborbital flights and the advanced designs boosting the upcoming Delta-class spaceships to enable higher-frequency missions starting in 2026. Discover the challenges of safe, reusable propulsion for private astronauts and researchers, Virgin Galactic’s operations at Spaceport America, and the company’s vision for making space for all. The presentation features visuals from the hangar and insights into New Mexico’s pivotal role in the new space age.
Crichton is a Propulsion Operations Engineer at Virgin Galactic, the pioneering commercial spaceflight company operating from Spaceport America in New Mexico. On the propulsion operations team, she works on the hybrid rocket motor and serves as the engineer in charge of spaceship vehicles and the Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines on the mothership VMS Eve. Recently, Crichton joined the flight test engineering team and has flown on board Eve during test flights, supporting progress toward Delta-class spaceship flight tests in 2026.
A Las Cruces native, Crichton’s passion for space began at shuttle camp as a child at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering from New Mexico State University.
“I am very excited to head back to the museum to present in the same place where my inspiration for space was first ignited,” said Crichton. “I’m looking forward to sharing the awesome work that Virgin Galactic is doing and how I got to where I am today!”
The Launch Pad Lecture will be at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, in Alamogordo, on Friday, February 6, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. It’s free to the public, with coffee and donuts provided by the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.
The NM Museum of Space History’s Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center. Museum staff, and sometimes special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to space future. Free to the public. Coffee and donuts provided. For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

Tori Crichton

Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with Rockets and Rosé at the New Mexico Museum of Space History
2026-02-12 17:00 - 20:30 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History Special Evening Event: “Rockets and Rosé”
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History, Main Building, 2nd Floor
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with Rockets and Rosé at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. This explosive event on February 12th will set your heart aflame as you and your loved one each create a rocket while sipping a glass of wine provided by Carino’s. After completing the rockets, we will head down to the parking lot and blast them off into the night. Can your love survive a rocket launch?
Event is for 21 and up only, IDs will be checked at the door. Cash bar. Purchase of ticket includes first glass of wine.
Event overview: Rockets and Rosé is an adults‑only evening event featuring themed presentation, wine service, and a live model rocket launch from the museum grounds.
Guests can expect the following schedule:

5:00 PM – Doors open; check‑in and welcome
5:45 PM – Program begins
8:00 PM – Rocket launch (weather, crowd size, and skill level dependent)
8:30 PM – Event concludes

Please plan to arrive between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM so check‑in and ID verification can be completed before the program starts.
Admission: $50.00 — Tickets can be purchased from the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation at the following link: Purchase Tickets HERE
For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org

New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission Meeting (Special)
2026-02-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
PUBLIC NOTICE
The New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission will conduct a special meeting on:
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 1:00pm PM MST
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History
Clyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & PlanetariumFront Classroom (First)3198 State Road 2001Alamogordo, NM 88310
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History Commission is to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.
A copy of the draft Regular Meeting Agenda shall be available at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting from the Museum in Alamogordo, New Mexico, as well as the Museum’s website (https://nmspacemuseum.org/events/list/), and from the Department of Cultural Affairs website (https://www.newmexicoculture.org/about/boards-and-commissions/upcoming-board-meetings) whose office is located at 407 Galisteo, Suite 260, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Angie Rathburn at (575) 437-2840 ext. 41107 or angie.rathburn@dca.nm.gov at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.
Public documents, including the agenda and meeting minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. If a summary or other type of accessible format is needed or for any additional information or assistance, please direct requests to the contact person above.

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Celebrate John Glenn’s historic trip around the Earth with an egg drop at New Mexico Museum of Space History on Feb. 28
2026-02-28 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
What: Astronaut John Glenn orbited the Earth in February of 1962. Celebrate that event with the John Glenn Egg Drop at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
When: Saturday, February 28, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Why: After orbiting the planet, John Glenn’s Friendship 7 capsule plummeted back to Earth, but it was engineered to protect him from the life-threatening impact when it landed. During this Science Saturday, NMMSH will explore ways engineers and scientists create space capsules to protect astronauts like John Glenn as they return from their historic journeys to space. Using an egg as your John Glenn stand-in and various materials like aluminum cans, cardboard tubes, plastic bags, paper, cotton balls, tape, and string, create a Friendship 7 capsule to safely help your John Glenn return to Earth. Alamogordo firemen will take our John Glenn Eggstronauts up their ladders and drop them down from “space” so we can see if they survive their journey back to Earth! Will your John Glenn Eggstronaut survive? Or will you be eggsasperated?
Where: New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Science Saturday is held held on the last Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium.Science Saturday is included with Museum admission. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org. Like us at www.facebook.com/NMSpaceMuseum/.

New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture: Listen to the Stars: How a Blind Astronomer “Hears” the Cosmos
2026-03-06 09:00 - 22:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture
Speaker: Brianna Buller, Museum Curator
Lecture Topic: “The Groundbreaking Work of Blind Astronomer Wanda Díaz-Merced”
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Date: March 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Alamogordo, NM – The groundbreaking work of blind astronomer Wanda Díaz-Merced will be brought into focus at the New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, March 6, 9:00–10:00 a.m. Museum Curator Brianna Buller will introduce visitors to Díaz-Merced’s methods, demonstrate how data can be translated into audio patterns, and highlight how these approaches open doors for researchers with diverse abilities while enriching how all scientists interpret information from space.
Drawing from her lived experience with disability, Díaz-Merced has created new ways of engaging with astrophysical data that have broadened accessibility for scientists and students across the space science community.
“I’m excited to share Wanda Díaz-Merced’s story because it shows that space science belongs to every kind of mind, not just those who see,” said Museum Curator Brianna Buller. “Her work with sonification reminds us that when we change how we listen to the universe, we change who gets to participate in discovering it.”
The lecture is free and will be held in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, located at 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, New Mexico. Visit us at https://nmspacemuseum.org/ or call 575-437-2840. Coffee and donuts will be provided by the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.

Celebrate Women in Space and their Contributions to Space Exploration, Travel, and Science
2026-03-08 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Special Event: Women in Space
Location: NM Museum of Space History’s Upper Parking Lot (near the Tornado Fighter Jet)
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026 — International Women’s Day
Time: 12pm – 4pm
What: Learn about women space pioneers like Katherine Johnson, Sally Ride, and Svetlana Savitskaya. Enjoy a scavenger hunt of Women in Space throughout the museum, with food trucks, vendors, STEM booths, and exciting prizes. Admission to the event includes the museum and all-day star shows in the planetarium. Women in Space is presented in partnership with Women in Aviation International Land of Enchantment Chapter.
Who: Holloman Air Force Base 49th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, Col. Kristen Torma, the first woman to hold that position, will be the keynote speaker at 2 p.m. in the planetarium. “I am honored to be part of the International Women’s Day Celebration that Alamogordo’s New Mexico Museum of Space History is hosting. As a USAF Colonel stationed at Holloman AFB with a career focused on leadership, aircraft maintenance, and aerospace advancement,” said Col. Torma. “This event reminds us why this day truly matters: to honor the incredible women who have shaped these fields and to ignite the dreams of young girls ready to lead the next chapter in space, aviation, and STEM.”
Why: An afternoon of family fun, inspiration, and learning.
Where: New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM. Admission to the event includes the museum and all-day star shows in the planetarium.
Adults $15 nonmembers/$10 members
Children (4-12) $10 nonmembers/$5 members
Children under 3 are free for the Women in Space event
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
Location: Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center
The NM Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League meeting is held on the second Thursday of each month in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center and is free to attend. Museum staff and sometimes special guest speakers discuss topics ranging from public observing to off-site adventures. For more information, contact the Museum Outreach Department at 575-437-2840 ext 41135 or visit our website at www.NMSpaceMuseum.org.

Astronomy League and Museum Host Public Star Party
2026-03-14 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Astronomy League and Museum Host Public Star Party
Location: NMMSH Outdoor Observatory, Upper Parking Lot
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(ALAMOGORDO, NM) – The New Mexico Museum of Space History invites the public to the next Astronomy League Star Party, an evening dedicated to exploring the wonders of the night sky.
The Star Party begins a with a Constellation Show inside the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, followed by telescope viewing at the Museum’s Observatory Complex, located in the Upper Parking Lot.
Visitors can observe celestial objects through a variety of telescopes, watch live big-screen imaging, and talk with astronomers and astrophotographers about observing techniques and image stacking — the process of combining photos to reveal the beauty of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
Parking is available in the middle lot, with ADA-accessible spaces at the Hubbard Building. Restrooms will be open before and during the planetarium show.
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. In the event of cloudy or inclement weather, all programming will take place inside the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium.
For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org
