Who decides who goes to space? Why do we go? And what will we do when we get there? 

The Futures in Space exhibition explore the potential near- and long-term futures that may emerge with advances in space exploration technology and enterprise. The gallery features developing technologies that bring down the cost of space, aim to inaugurate the era of commercial and tourist spaceflight, expand robotic planetary exploration and resource extraction, and keep humans alive in new environments. Futures in Space also explores the as-yet unanswered social, political, and economic questions that emerge along with these new activities: Who decides who goes to space? Why do we go? And what will we do when we get there? 

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Location in Museum

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Gallery 109
A map showing the floor plan of the first floor of the museum. A yellow box is to the right of the center of the map, denoting the location of gallery 109.
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Teaser Trailer & Gallery Preview Article

What's Inside?

"Greeting visitors as they enter the gallery on one side is one of science fiction’s most helpful robots—R2-D2. This custom-built replica of the Star Wars droid was loaned to the Museum by Adam Savage, host of television’s MythBusters...The home-built model embodies the enthusiasm of fans, hobbyists, and tinkerers who have embraced R2-D2 and other science fiction robots as emblems of imagined space futures."

Read More from the Gallery Preview

More About the Future of Space Exploration

An illustration of a small settlement enclosed in a clear dome upon the surface of what is meant to be the Moon. People in spacesuits walk in the direction of the settlement. In the bottom corner there is a label that reads "lunar city." Deep dive

Potential Futures in Space

A black cat like suit. Deep dive

Afrofuturism

In this Exhibition

Rocket, Flying Model Kit, Cosmos

Object
Oval metal belt buckle. "Space Patrol" in low relief along with space port, planets, and stars motifs.

Belt Buckle, Space Patrol

Object

Video Game, Cartridge, Atari 2600, Asteroids

Object

Box, Box Set, 40th Anniversary, Voyager Golden Record

Object

Viaje Espacial

Object

Rocket, Flying Model Kit, Orion

Object
See More Objects in this Exhibition
A woman in a blue polo and baseball cap with a ponytail, looks ad a large metal or rubber structure that looks like if you expanded a plant cell's structure to larger than human size.

Who Gets to Send People (and Spacecraft) to Space?

Story

Model consists of a semi-translucent oval structure that has been split in half. This structure sits on a wavy white surface with two attached astronaut figurines and an unattached car/rover figuine. Model is lit by lights set below the two structures. Surface sits on a raised base with a solid base piece underneath this assembly. The model is uplit with low voltage LED strip lights. The habitat model is split in half to show the interior section and is composed of two 3d-printed translucent resin shells. The model sits on a milled white corian base.

Could We Live on Other Planets in the Future?

Story

Various people, mostly young, doing different activities inside a large hangar. A space shuttle can be seen in the background and spacesuits are set up in the foreground.

Sleepaway Camp, But Make It Space

Story

R2-D2, a metal droid, primarily white with blue and silver accents, domed head, cylindrical body, and three legs on wheels is shown inside a display case. The case is surrounded by images from other science fiction media.

Space: A Place for Robots

Story

The Museum gratefully acknowledges those who have generously supported this gallery.

Diane Williams Murphy

 

A display case featuring a variety of objects. From left to right you can see model spacecraft, from toy size to 5 feet tall, a sari, a t-shirt, and a spacesuit. In front of it is a long text panel.

Display case featuring both real-life and creative space-related artifacts, including board games, video game paraphernalia, and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s NASA hard hat.

Images of people living in a mock Mars habitat are projected on a curved wall. The people read books and play the guitar. The rest of the space is dark.

Visitors can explore human perspectives of living on another planet inside an imagined 3D-printed Mars habitat.

 

Girl looking up at astronaut suit model at the National Air and Space Museum.

Museum Transformation

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A major renovation is underway as we reimagine our galleries and presentation spaces in our iconic National Mall building in Washington, DC. Join us as we inspire a new generation of pioneers and explorers.

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