What is everyday life like hundreds of miles above Earth? How do astronauts work, enjoy a cup of coffee, or carry out experiments in weightlessness? These are some of the questions explored in At Home in Space, the new gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, opening to the public on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The exhibition explores how, over more than fifty years, space has become not just a destination, but a place where people can live and work for months at a time. Its opening also marks an important milestone in the museum’s major renovation, which began in 2018.
What Can You See in the New At Home in Space Gallery?
The exhibition explores what life is like for astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS), through original artifacts, replicas, and interactive displays. Highlights include the flight suits worn by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Guion Bluford, the first African American in space, along with Robonaut 1A, an experimental humanoid robot designed to assist astronauts.
One of the most intriguing features is a walk-through mock-up of the Destiny module, the ISS’s U.S. laboratory, where visitors can discover how astronauts carry out everyday activities and scientific experiments far from Earth. On opening day, October 30, visitors will also have the opportunity to attend informal talks with exhibition curators.
Another gallery, Modern Military Aviation, is set to open on November 11, exploring the evolution of military aviation from the Cold War to the present day. Together, these two openings will mark the completion of the museum’s major renovation, with all 20 galleries fully redesigned and reopened to the public.
How to Visit the National Air and Space Museum
The museum is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, at 650 Jefferson Drive SW, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on December 25.
Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required for all visitors, including children. Passes can be reserved through the museum’s official website. No additional ticket is needed to visit the new gallery.
Photo: NASA
Source: Smithsonian Institution
