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/.
