— The space race of the past never looked so bright.

The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas has finished renovating its Hall of Space, a series of galleries that tours visitors through the nearly 70 years of space exploration using the museum's artifacts and now new interactive displays. The work to refresh the exhibits began in 2020.

"It was almost like a maze trying to navigate the hall prior to the renovations and now it just feels a little more light, a little more open and easier for the visitor experience," said Jim Remar, president and CEO of the Cosmospere, in a call with collectSPACE on Thursday (Sept. 25).

The renovation unified the look of the Hall of Space, which was opened in phases, spanning the Cosmosphere's 60-year history. Prior to the changes, for example, the Apollo Gallery was dimly lit and had dark backgrounds to evoke the blackness of space. The effect was appropriate, but made it difficult to see exterior details and take photographs of the Apollo 13 command module "Odyssey," among the other lunar program artifacts on display.

By comparison, the newest of the exhibitions, the Mollett Early Spaceflight Gallery, used blue and red lighting to set apart the efforts of the United States and the former Soviet Union in the pursuit of the high frontier. Again, the aesthetics helped tell a story, but left items like the "Liberty Bell 7" Mercury spacecraft, Gemini X (10) capsule and Russian Vostok and Voskhod capsules cast in a single hue.

The new look features white and azure backdrops set against darker blue or gray flooring. Black ceilings still provide a nod to the relationship the artifacts have with outer space.

"We really opened up the galleries, widened them up, brightened them up with new graphics and repositioned many of the artifacts, as well as added AV components and interactives to create an engaging and immersive experience for our visitors," said Remar.

In one new display, visitors can transport themselves to the moon.

"Through A.I., the astronaut on the screen mimics your movements, so you can dance on the lunar surface," said Remar.

Other interactives include a virtual wind tunnel, a Gemini rendezvous and docking simulator and a haptic plate that lets visitors feel what happens when a rocket engine ignites. There is also new sit-in mockup of an Apollo command module that is positioned up against a real "White Room," showing guests how the spacecraft and its launch pad entranceway were connected.

The new layout allowed for the return of artifacts that have been off display for decades. Among the items are the suit worn by astronaut Donald "Deke" Slayton when he was training for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project; a collection of tools used on the moon's surface; and the forward heat shield from the Apollo 17 command module, the only one of its type available on exhibit.

"It's exciting for us to finally get them back out for public appreciation," said Remar.

The Cosmosphere conducted the renovations in phases, so that the Hall of Space was never completely closed. The rolling closures allowed for the museum to keep its most popular attractions open to visitors for as long as possible.

Now that the work is done, the hall in its entirety is available to tour through again. Remar said that he hopes to celebrate the renovation, most likely in early 2026.

In the meantime, the Cosmosphere this weekend is marking the 40th anniversary of its CosmoCamps. Two hundred former campers will be among the first to tour through the new Hall of Space.

"I'm excited to hear what they have to say about the changes," Remar said.

Next up will be he renovation of the Cosmosphere's main lobby and the exterior of the building, although that work will likely not begin for another couple of years.

"We're also looking at possibly restoring some of the artifacts, such as the large rockets that are in some of our storage spaces, to place throughout the community," said Remar. "We really forward look to continuing to tell the story the space race."