#Spacewalk50 Social at Air and Space
It's official. I'm badged for the #Spacewalk50 social at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
A rare sight: Gemini IV without the surrounding plexiglass.
The social media event begins in the Milestones of Flight Hall.
The group begins to gather.
The #spacewalk50 social was a special event to preview the "Outside the Spacecraft" exhibit opening the next day. Astronaut Chris Cassidy is the opening image at the entrance of the exhibit.
General Jack Dailey, director of Air and Space, greeted our group.
The exhibit is laid out more like an art gallery than an artifact showcase. The pieces are spaced apart enough that you can linger on one piece without stopping the flow of people around you.
Gene Cernan spacesuit from 1966 is fragile and is displayed at an angle to alleviate the pressure on the delicate material.
Gene Cernan's spacesuit from 1966.
The group listens to Lisa Young discuss Gene Cernan's boots, the last to leave footprints on the moon.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is the glove helix display.
Close-up of the Shuttle Phase IV prototype glove.
Left, the famous Buzz Aldrin photo. Right, artwork inspired by that photo called "Lunar Confrontation" by Robert Shore.
Gene Cernan's boots, the last to make footprints on the moon. As the sign says: "Lunar dust still coats some of these pieces."
James Ragan, formerly of NASA and now with Omega Watches, tells the group about how Omega watches are still used by astronauts going to space today.
My two favorite things (space and photos): a lunar Hasselblad camera from Apollo 14.
Former NASA astronaut and ISS commander Michael Lopez-Alegria tells us about conducting spacewalks. He should know; he holds several records!
I don't often take selfies but, when I do, there are astronauts in them.
My jackpot moment: I stood next to MLA in the group photo. Selfie #2!
