Virgin Galactic space-flown rocket engine donated to SmithsonianA rocket engine that powered a commercial passenger ship on its first flight into space will next be used to ignite public interest in the future of spaceflight as an artifact in the Smithsonian's collection.
The National Air and Space Museum on Thursday (Feb. 7) received the donation of RocketMotorTwo, the engine that flew on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo "VSS Unity" into space on Dec. 13, 2018. The motor will eventually be displayed in the "Future of Spaceflight," a new gallery at the Washington D.C. museum scheduled to debut in 2024 as part of a seven-year renovation now underway.