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

Honoring the Legacy of the “Red Tails” at New Mexico Museum of Space History on March 26
2026-03-26 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
(Alamogordo, NM) — History takes flight this month as New Mexico Museum of Space History hosts a tribute to the legendary “Red Tail Angels,” the Tuskegee Airmen who broke racial barriers in World War II. The “Red Tails,” fighter pilots escorted American bombers in missions over Europe with skill and perseverance that saved lives and paved the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military.
The Tuskegee Airmen, known for the painted red tails on their planes, broke racial barriers as the first African American fighter pilots while compiling an outstanding record for air combat. In collaboration with the Holloman AFB Tuskegee Airmen Chapter, New Mexico Museum of Space History invites the public to learn about the courage, skill, and perseverance of America’s first Black military aviators.
When: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Why: Learn the remarkable story of the service and sacrifice of the “Red Tails” and its impact on civil rights and aviation.
For more information, visit nmspacemuseum.org, or call (575) 437-2840.

Portrait of Tuskegee airman Edward M. Thomas by photographer Toni Frissell March 1945

Lift Off with Aerodynamics and Kites at the New Mexico Museum of Space History's Science Saturday
2026-03-28 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Event: Science Saturday — The Aerodynamics of Kites
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
(Alamogordo, NM) – The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Science Saturday invites families to explore the science of flight through aerodynamics and kite building. 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, this hands-on program is geared toward students in grades 2–7.
Participants will discuss lift and other forces that help kites fly, then use provided and miscellaneous materials to construct kites they can later fly at the Kites and Tails event on 19 April 2026. Families may join the activities at any time during the program, and some materials will be available on-site.
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/
About the New Mexico Museum of Space History: The New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and a Smithsonian Affiliate, showcasing the significant role New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. space program and featuring the International Space Hall of Fame and the New Horizons Dome Theater.

Photo: These vivid wings catch the wind just right, turning New Mexico Museum of Space History into a kite flyer’s paradise.

Eye in space: Launch Pad Lecture looks at the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy at New Mexico Museum of Space History on April 3
2026-04-03 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’s Launch Pad Lecture
Guest Speaker: Mackette Kark, NMMSH Museum Educator
Lecture Topic: Hubble Space Telescope
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Date: April 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
(Alamogordo, NM) — The Hubble Space Telescope is brought into focus in an upcoming Launch Pad Lecture at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Since its launch in 1990, Hubble has looked into distant galaxies, bringing the world breathtaking glimpses that have transformed scientific understanding of galaxies, nebulae, and stellar evolution. The New Mexico Museum of Space History celebrates that legacy with a Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 9 – 10 a.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium.
Museum educator Mackette Kark will explore the history, engineering, and discoveries behind Hubble, which reveal some of the most distant corners of the universe. The talk will highlight the telescope’s early challenges, its dramatic in‑orbit fixes, and the breathtaking images that have reshaped our understanding of galaxies, nebulae, and the life cycles of stars.
“For over 35 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has transformed the way we see the cosmos—capturing breathtaking images of distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and the very edges of the observable universe,” says Kark. “As one of humanity’s most groundbreaking scientific achievements, Hubble has revolutionized our understanding of space, uncovering new worlds, revealing the life cycles of stars, and helping us trace the origins and destiny of the universe itself. Through the dedication of visionary scientists and engineers, Hubble continues to ignite wonder, deepen discovery, and expand our cosmic horizons—one stunning image at a time.”
Guest Speaker Bio: Mackette Kark, a Four Corners native, spent a decade as a ranger in Acadia National Park, where leading star programs fueled her passion for astronomy. Now back in the desert Southwest, she’s an educator at the New Mexico Museum of Space History and liaison to the local Astronomy League, inspiring curiosity about the universe in learners of all ages.
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

These towering tendrils of cosmic dust and gas sit at the heart of M16, or the Eagle Nebula. The aptly named Pillars of Creation, featured in this stunning Hubble image, are part of an active star-forming region within the nebula and hide newborn stars in their wispy columns. (Photo courtesy of NASA.)

New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
2026-04-09 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, April 9, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meetings Welcome Stargazers of All Levels
(ALAMOGORDO, NM) – The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League invites everyone with an interest in the night sky to its monthly meeting, held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the front classroom of the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium.
These sessions bring together amateur and experienced astronomers for engaging discussions, presentations about current celestial events, hands-on observing tips, and opportunities for learning and networking. Anyone interested in astronomy is welcome to attend — no experience necessary.
Attendees are also invited to consider joining the Astronomy League. Membership offers a chance to take part in special observing programs, earn observing certifications, meet fellow astronomy enthusiasts regionally and nationally, and gain access to resources that deepen the stargazing experience.
All Astronomy League meetings are free and open to the public. For details about upcoming meetings and other astronomy events, visit www.nmspacemuseum.org or follow the Museum on Facebook for updates.

Astronomy League and Museum Host Public Star Party
2026-04-11 20:00 - 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, April 11, 2026
Time: 8:00 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

Ancient Skies, Modern Eyes: Museum of Space History and Jornada Research Institute Present Free Archaeoastronomy Program on Creekside Village Great Kiva
2026-04-12 14:30 - 17:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
(ALAMOGORDO, NM) – The New Mexico Museum of Space History, in collaboration with Jornada Research Institute, will host a special free public presentation, “ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE CREEKSIDE VILLAGE GREAT KIVA AND THE AGRICULTURAL CYCLE,” on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater as part of the museum’s annual Archaeoastronomy outreach program. The presentation will last approximately 1.5 hours and will be followed by a question‑and‑answer session; regular theater programming will be suspended during this time.
Archaeologist David H. Greenwald, President and Director of Jornada Research Institute, will demonstrate how the Creekside Village great kiva in Tularosa Canyon functioned as an astronomical observatory and horizon calendar. Using the eastern horizon as viewed from the great kiva, Greenwald will show how specific celestial events, including solstices and key lunar positions, were tracked to guide agricultural activities, a practice that continues today among Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, and other Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest.
“Between the physical archaeological remains and the implications from these remains, Creekside Village may be one of the most important sites of this time period yet studied in New Mexico,” said Greenwald. “The information we continue to gather is astounding.”
Greenwald has focused on the archaeology of the Southwestern United States for the past 50 years, conducting research on Hohokam, Basketmaker, and Pueblo groups in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. After moving to Tularosa in 1997, he founded Jornada Research Institute in 2012, leading its mission to investigate the prehistory and history of the Tularosa Basin and surrounding areas. His research emphasizes sedentism and agriculture in the American Southwest, including farming strategies, architecture, and the use of interior and exterior space.
In 2004, Greenwald discovered Creekside Village in Tularosa Canyon. Initial surface indications suggested a site far more complex than any other known in the Tularosa Basin from the Mesilla phase (AD 200–1000), and subsequent Jornada Research Institute investigations have revealed dispersed pithouse villages with great kivas, irrigation systems, terraced agricultural fields, and reservoirs dating to approximately AD 600–900. The great kivas identified at Creekside Village are the first recognized in the Tularosa Basin, and some were used as celestial observatories; the irrigation systems emulate those found in Hohokam communities of southern Arizona, although at a smaller scale.
Through continued JRI‑led research, Greenwald and his colleagues determined that the Creekside Village great kiva was used to monitor the movements of the sun and moon, tying celestial observations directly to agricultural cycles. These findings form the basis of his upcoming presentation at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, where the Museum and Jornada Research Institute will bring this observatory and its cultural significance to the forefront of current archaeoastronomy studies.
This collaborative event is free and included with regular museum admission, with seating available on a first‑come, first‑served basis in the New Horizons Dome Theater. For more information about this program or the museum’s annual Archaeoastronomy program, please contact the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

"Kites & Tails" event is landing at the New Mexico Museum of Space History
2026-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
New Mexico Museum of Space History’s “Kites & Tails” Event
Location: 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Kites & Tails at the New Mexico Museum of Space History brings together hands-on kite building and flying activities with adoptable cats from Kitty City NM on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310. For more information, visit NMSpaceMuseum.org, follow @NMSpaceMuseum on Facebook and Instagram, or call (575) 437-2840.

NM Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission to conduct a Strategic Planning Session and Regular Quarterly Meeting
2026-04-24 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
PUBLIC NOTICE
NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION
(Strategic Planning Session and Regular Quarterly Meeting)
The New Mexico Museum of Space History Governor’s Commission will conduct a Strategic Planning Session and their Regular Quarterly Meeting as follows on Friday, April 24, 2026:

Strategic Planning Session (9:00am – 1:00pm; no formal action will be taken)
Regular Quarterly Meeting (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

The NMMSH Governor’s Commission Strategic Planning Session and Regular Quarterly Meeting are open to the public and will be held in person at:
New Mexico Museum of Space History
Clyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & Planetarium – Front Classroom (First)
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.
A copy of the draft agendas for the Strategic Planning Session and the Regular Quarterly Meeting shall be available at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meetings from the Museum in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Agendas will also be available on the Museum’s website (https://nmspacemuseum.org/events/list/) and 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.govat least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.
Public documents, including the agendas 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.

NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION
DRAFT AGENDA (Strategic Planning Session)
Friday, April 24, 2026
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT (Strategic Planning Session)
at The New Mexico Museum of Space History
Front Classroom (First)
Clyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & Planetarium
3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo NM 88310
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History (NMMSH) Commission is to establish museum of space history policy and determine the mission and direct the development of the museum subject to the approval of the secretary of cultural affairs and to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.

Call to Order – Ms. Norma Chairez-Hartell, Chair

Introductions – Commission and Guests

Strategic Work Session

Discuss major themes from Framing Phase
Explore strategic questions identified by Strategic Planning Committee

Adjournment – Commission

Except for emergency matters, the Commission cannot take action on new business that is not on the posted agenda. New business requiring action will be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the Commission.

NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION
DRAFT AGENDA (Regular Quarterly Meeting)
Friday, April 24, 2026
2:00 to 5:00 PM MDT (Regular Quarterly Meeting)
at The New Mexico Museum of Space History
Front Classroom (First)
Clyde Tombaugh Dome Theater & Planetarium
3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo NM 88310
The Mission of the New Mexico Museum of Space History (NMMSH) Commission is to establish museum of space history policy and determine the mission and direct the development of the museum subject to the approval of the secretary of cultural affairs and to provide direction, advice, and support to the Director of the Museum in the maintenance and operation of the Museum and its activities.

Call to Order – Ms. Norma Chairez-Hartell, Chair

Introductions – Commission and Guests

Action: Approve agenda for the April 24, 2026 Meeting – Commission

Action: Approve minutes from the February 27, 2026 Special Meeting – Commission

Department of Cultural Affairs Report – TBD

Commission Chair Report – Ms. Norma Chairez-Hartell

Division Director’s Report – Karen Kincaid Brady

Report on Collections – Brianna Buller
Report on Educational Programs – Michael Shinabery

International Space Hall of Fame Foundation Report – Cathy Harper,

2026 Induction Report

Announcements – General call for upcoming activities of interest to the Museum

Action: Confirm/Establish Dates and Places of Upcoming Meetings – Commission

Friday July 31, 2026 (Alamogordo, NM, at NMMSH)
Friday October 30, 2026 (Santa Fe, NM)
Friday, January 29, 2027 (Alamogordo, NM, at NMMSH)

Adjournment – Commission

Except for emergency matters, the Commission cannot take action on new business that is not on the posted agenda. New business requiring action will be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the Commission.

View the PUBLIC NOTICE at the following link:
2026-04-10 NMMSH Comm Public Notice (04-24-26 SPS & Reg Q Mtg)
View the DRAFT AGENDA at the following link:
2026-04-24 NMMSH Gov Comm (DRAFT Agendas for SPS & RQM)

Celebrate Earth Week with Water Rockets at Science Saturday
2026-04-25 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
(Alamogordo, NM) – This month’s Science Saturday at the New Mexico Museum of Space History invites families to mark Earth Week with hands-on water rocket building and launching. The program takes place on Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in and around the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium and is designed for students in grades 2–7.
Participants are encouraged to bring an empty 2-liter bottle to turn into a water rocket while learning about the first rocket engines and how water and pressure can generate enough force to send their creations skyward. Families should come prepared to get wet, and all additional basic materials are provided.
Science Saturday is included with Museum admission. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org.
About the New Mexico Museum of Space History: The New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and a Smithsonian Affiliate, showcasing the significant role New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. space program and featuring the International Space Hall of Fame and the New Horizons Dome Theater.

From Space to White Sands: U.S. Army Astronaut to Speak at NM Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture on May 1st
2026-05-01 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
ALAMOGORDO, NM – The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s next Launch Pad Lecture will feature distinguished astronaut Col. Andrew R. Morgan, M.D. (U.S. Army), the Senior Commander of White Sands Missile Range. The event is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026. Morgan will present “A Soldier’s Journey to Space,” offering insights into his leadership career that spans military medicine, special operations, and human spaceflight.
A 1998 graduate of West Point and a 2002 graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Morgan served aboard the International Space Station from July 2019 to April 2020 on Expeditions 60, 61, and 62. During this mission, he performed seven spacewalks, a record for a single spaceflight. Before his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2013, he served as an emergency physician with U.S. Army Special Operations units, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. His career also includes serving as the Army Senior Astronaut and Detachment Commander at the Johnson Space Center and commanding the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Since June 2025, he has served as the Senior Commander of White Sands Missile Range.
The Colonel’s military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal. His NASA honors include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Space Exploration Medal. Morgan and his wife, Stacey, have been married for 25 years and have four children.
“We are honored to host Col. Morgan for May’s Launch Pad Lecture as an exciting start to Astronaut Week,” said Karen Kinkaid Brady, Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History. “His knowledge and commitment to the space program are unsurpassed.”
The lecture will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, located at 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM. Admission is free. Guests will enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts, courtesy of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.
The Launch Pad Lecture series, held on the first Friday of each month, highlights notable figures and topics from space science, exploration, and history. The International Space Hall of Fame Foundation’s support makes this program possible.

New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meeting
2026-05-14 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, May 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League Monthly Meetings Welcome Stargazers of All Levels
(ALAMOGORDO, NM) – The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Astronomy League invites everyone with an interest in the night sky to its monthly meeting, held the second Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the front classroom of the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium.
These sessions bring together amateur and experienced astronomers for engaging discussions, presentations about current celestial events, hands-on observing tips, and opportunities for learning and networking. Anyone interested in astronomy is welcome to attend — no experience necessary.
Attendees are also invited to consider joining the Astronomy League. Membership offers a chance to take part in special observing programs, meet fellow astronomy enthusiasts regionally and nationally, and gain access to resources that deepen the stargazing experience.
All Astronomy League meetings are free and open to the public. For details about upcoming meetings and other astronomy events, visit www.nmspacemuseum.org or follow the Museum on Facebook for updates.

Free Entry to NM Museums and Historic Sites for Active-Duty Military through Blue Star
2026-05-16 - 2026-09-07 | New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rd. 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Santa Fe, NM – Active-duty military personnel, including National Guard, Reserve, and their families, will receive free admission to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ eight museums and eight historic sites this summer through the Blue Star Museums program.
The New Mexico Arts & Military program is launching the campaign to raise awareness of this opportunity for more than 43,000 active-duty military members, National Guard, and their families in New Mexico. Free admission runs from Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, September 7, 2026.
The program includes free admission for up to five family members with a valid military ID. More information and a map of participating museums are available at arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.
“Participating in the Blue Star Museums program is an incredible opportunity for DCA museums and historic sites to share New Mexico’s rich artistic, historical, and cultural offerings with active-duty service members and their families,” said Kevin Lenkner, Program Coordinator for New Mexico Arts & the Military.
Participating sites include eight state museums and eight historic sites across New Mexico, including the Museum of International Folk Art, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico Museum of Space History, Coronado Historic Site, Lincoln Historic Site, and Bosque Redondo Memorial.
NMDCA also partners with the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services to offer free one-time admission passes to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. More information is available at nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits.
About New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs: Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, eight historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, NMDCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation.
About New Mexico Arts: New Mexico Arts (NMA) is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. NMA’s mission is to ensure the arts are central to the lives of New Mexicans, including active-duty members of the military and their families, as well as veterans. For more information about New Mexico Arts visit nmarts.org.
About the New Mexico Museum of Space History: The New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and a Smithsonian Affiliate, showcasing the significant role New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. space program and featuring the International Space Hall of Fame and the New Horizons Dome Theater. For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org
View the Blue Star Museum Flyer here: BlueStarMuseum_Flyer_2026_200dpi

New Mexico Museum of Space History's Science Saturday
2026-05-30 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
Event: Science Saturday
Location: New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History invites families to drop in and explore the science of space together at Science Saturday, a monthly program held on the last Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center.
Each month’s Science Saturday features a new theme with interactive, family-friendly activities that bring rockets, astronauts, planets, and space technology to life. Visitors can expect engaging stations that encourage kids to tinker, test, and ask questions, while learning how space science connects to everyday life. Many of the activities highlight New Mexico’s unique role in space history, including selected stories that showcase the state’s contributions to rocketry, astronomy, and space exploration.
“Science Saturday gives families a fun way to experience STEM together,” said Karen Kincaid Brady, Executive Director at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. “Kids are not only seeing rockets and spacecraft in our exhibits. They are building, experimenting, and discovering how science and engineering shape the world around them.”
Science Saturday activities are included with Museum admission, and all ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. These activities are free for International Space Hall of Fame Museum members. Guests are encouraged to drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., explore as many activity stations as they like, and pair their visit with a trip through the museum’s exhibits and planetarium shows.
To stay up to date on monthly themes, event reminders, and additional programs, follow the Museum on Facebook and Instagram: @NMSpaceMuseum. Visitors can also explore upcoming events and plan their visit at NMSpaceMuseum.org.

NM Museum of Space History's Launch Pad Lecture: “Chix in Space”
2026-06-05 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM, 88310, United States
(Alamogordo, NM) — New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Launch Pad Lecture Series features “Chix in Space” on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. The free program, open to everyone, will be presented by Dr. Rebecca Anklam.
“Chix in Space” highlights the work of a Purdue University graduate whose experiment to hatch chicks in space grew into the commercial space venture Redware and helped advance today’s space payload industry, including work supporting companies like Virgin Galactic.
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Museum staff and special guest speakers explore topics ranging from space history to the future of space exploration in an informal setting that encourages questions and discussion.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History is located at 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310. For more information about this lecture or other museum programs, visit NMSpaceMuseum.org or call (575) 437‑2840.
