posted 08-22-2005 12:13 AM               

Earlier this summer, video crews from the History Channel documented the Cosmosphere’s restoration work on the Bendix Mobility Test Vehicle at Spaceworks, the Cosmosphere’s off-site property where most large-scale artifact restoration takes place. The Bendix restoration is of particular interest because the development of this enormous lunar test vehicle, while it was never intended to fly, led engineers and scientists to determine what was needed to drive a vehicle on the moon. This test work led to the production of the much smaller lunar rover vehicle which the astronauts operated on the moon’s surface during the final three Apollo missions.

“We’re pleased to be a part of this segment about preserving America’s space artifacts and feel it speaks to the Cosmosphere’s expertise in restoration,” said Jim Remar, vice president of museum operations. “For years, we have been restoring important historical pieces, including the Apollo 13 command module Odyssey, and Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7. Each project presents a new set of challenges and the Bendix has been no different due to its advanced state of deterioration.”

The one-hour special also documents the restoration work taking place at Johnson Space Center on the Saturn V rocket and the National Air and Space Museum’s space suit preservation efforts.