Sally Ride, the first American woman in space who died recently, was an inspirational scientist. The institution she founded, Sally Ride Science, continues to organize camps and festivals for aspiring female astronauts. Perhaps there will come a day when we all can travel to the International Space Station. Until then, here are a few places to enjoy the history of space and flight.
Washington
The Air and Space Museum on the National Mall is home to the 1903 Flyer; Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and the Apollo 11 module. Those are among the most famous of the artifacts that tell the U.S. history of flight. While in the area, head to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in the suburb of Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. There, you can see the retired Space Shuttle Discovery as well as exhibits of missiles, rockets and commercial aviation.
http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/
Seattle
The Museum of Flight has a collection that includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, including the B-17 Bomber, a Concorde supersonic jet, the largest aviation and space library and archives on the West Coast, plus the Space Shuttle Trainer, a full-scale mockup of the orbiter. On weekends through August, families can attend the Family Flight Academy, which includes guided tours and a test of the flight simulation lab, or take in the Family Space Academy, which includes robot testing and manning a Martian Rover.
For details, call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org
Moscow
If you find yourself in Russia, visit the Monument to the Conquerors of Space, a titanium sculpture shaped like a rocket going into the sky. The monument was built in 1964 to celebrate the space achievement, including the launches of satellites and spacecraft. The Memorial Museum of Astronautics is located at the base of the obelisk. There are busts of the cosmonauts who participated in the former Soviet space program.
For more details, visit www.space-museum.ru/
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