Visit Launch to the Moon at Space Foundation El Pomar Space Gallery

The Space Foundation recently opened the El Pomar Space Gallery, home to the Space Foundation’a collection of space artifacts. Our initial exhibit, Launch to the Moon, chronicles the 1959-1976 United States and Soviet Union space race, with focus on the goal to be the first to the Moon.

Housed in the Space Foundation’s world headquarters at 4425 Arrowswest Dr. in Colorado Springs, Colo., the gallery is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and on the first Saturday of each month. 

The Launch to the Moon exhibit includes:

• An actual Soviet Lunokhod robotic moon buggy exactly like two that were secretly launched during the Cold War and recently re-discovered on the surface of the Moon
• An exhibit about the U.S. Lunar Module (LM) – the first manned vehicle to land on the Moon 
• Scale models of rockets
• A display of astronaut food
• Soviet and U.S. space suits

Remembering Apollo 11

For many Americans, the race to the Moon stirred lasting interest in space. Back in 2009, the Space Foundation solicited stories recalling the Apollo 11 mission and the thrill of seeing humans step onto the Moon for the first time. Here’s what some of our friends told us:

As Apollo 11 approached the Moon, my father, an Air Force pilot, was on his way to Viet Nam for a one-year tour of duty. We were living in Austin, Texas, dreading Dad’s departure, but the Apollo 11 mission provided my brothers, sisters and me with a powerful –  if temporary – diversion. In fact, you could say our collective fascination with aviation transformed into a family obsession with space flight. I always wondered why Buzz Aldrin didn’t go first. Years later, I realized that he was the lunar module commander, so it was his job to ensure the ship’s safety so that Armstrong could step out first. Everyone remembers who’s first; but it takes a huge person to accept the role of No. 2. I got goosebumps not when Armstrong and Aldrin stepped on the Moon, but when they stepped out of the capsule after a successful splashdown. I knew that if they could come home safely from the Moon, then so could my Dad from Viet Nam. – Charley, American Airlines, DFW Airport, Texas

At twelve, I was alone watching a Zenith c1968 color television. Proud of being America, astounded at the rate of progress. – LunarPioneer on Twitter

I was 8 years old, living on a farm in Creston, Neb. My whole family gathered around our black and white TV to watch. I was sitting on a footstool next to my dad and was totally awestruck. I remember being so filled with emotion that I was crying – and of course my family teased me about that endlessly! – Barb, Verizon, Basking Ridge, N.J.

I was on the tarmac in a BWIA Boeing 727 Whisperjet on the island of Antigua enroute to Barbados for a surfing trip with my brother, [and some friends].. We were sipping Rum Punch in our seats when the pilot and captain of the flight announced through the loud speakers to all awaiting takeoff that “The Eagle Had Landed!” I vaguely remember him piping in the audio sound of the event through the speaker system on the plane so that we could actually join in on the event. The pilot had a British accent. So, the moment was even more surreal for me. I actually found myself losing track of where we were and what we were about to journey, as I was a huge follower of the NASA Space Program and every Mercury, Gemini and Apollo mission. P.S. This was my Woodstock! – Peter, University of Southern California, University Hills, Calif.

Relive the story of the first men on the Moon here. 

This article is part of Space Watch: December 2012 (Volume: 11, Issue: 12).