posted January 09, 2012 03:03 PM               

In short, I was very impressed and glad to have added this detour to my trip. Three to four hours was adequate to see the museum's substantial collection of aircraft and space-related material.

Not too surprisingly, the space emphasis is Gemini, Apollo, and ASTP. The F-1 and J-2 rocket motors on display are very accessible (to the extent possible for such massive pieces of hardware) and these were joined with a good mix of other space artifacts, Shuttle included. An extensive collection of models helps illustrate and contrast the development of both the U.S. and Russian spacecraft.

The museum houses much personal material from Gen. Stafford's career and several spacesuits, including his Apollo 10 pressure suit on loan from the National Air and Space Museum. A moon rock collected by Apollo 17 and presented to General Stafford is also featured.

I noted one very nice Apollo 10 item on loan from a cS member. You had to look carefully to know the source but it was good to see such generous sharing, along with a familiar name.