Recent Posts
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Liftof of Apollo 13!
April 11, 2022
Apollo 13 lifted off at 2:13 p.m. EDT on April 11, 1970. -
HISTORIC LIBERTY BELL 7 TO LAND AT PLANET COMICON KANSAS CITY FOR EXHIBIT
April 4, 2022
Planet Comicon KC 2022 is joining forces with the Cosmosphere to bring attendees something that has never happened before. -
Top 10 Reasons Why Your Bus Tour Needs to Visit the Cosmosphere
March 14, 2022
The Cosmosphere is worth the bus ride from anywhere – take off for the day with a Bus Tour Group to Hutchinson, Kansas! -
First & Last Steps: Celebrating Time and Space
February 28, 2022
Join us Friday, December 2, 2022, as the Cosmosphere celebrates its 60th birthday and honors the 50 year anniversary of Apollo 17 at the Meadowlark Building at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. -
March: Women’s History Month
February 25, 2022
The American Women’s History Initiative (AWHI), established by Congress in 2018, invites all Smithsonian Affiliates to share diverse, lesser-known stories of women’s history in the United States on March 1, the start of Women’s History Month. -
New Youth Organization Camp at Cosmosphere
February 17, 2022
The list of youth organizations engineering a great summer at Cosmosphere is growing. -
Learn How an Invention from a Lakeside Town in Italy Energizes the STEM Education of Tomorrow
February 7, 2022
223 years ago, 5,123 miles away from Hutchinson, Kansas, a pioneering experimental physicist invented something that would become so vital to modern technology that without its power, cars, phones and laptops are called "dead." -
Explorer 1 Satellite Launch
January 31, 2022
On January 31, 1958, the United States finally became a competitor in the Space Race. -
NASA’s Day of Remembrance
January 27, 2022
On the final Thursday of each January, NASA pays homage to lives lost in the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia catastrophes. -
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
December 8, 2021
Special holiday hours Dec. 17-Jan. 2 -
What is LaunchNext and more
December 1, 2021
The Cosmosphere attracts people from all over the world. It’s true! In 2019, 48 foreign countries were represented in the visitors to this great place. But what brings them here? -
49th Anniversary of Apollo 17: The Cosmosphere’s Cernan Statue
November 30, 2021
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60th Anniversary of Enos the Chimp
November 23, 2021
60 years ago this November, a chimp named Enos became the third hominid to orbit the earth, after Russians Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov achieved orbit earlier that same year. -
Giving Tuesday 2021 Will Support Cosmosphere Camp Scholarships!
November 16, 2021
On November 30, 2021, the Cosmosphere will participate in Giving Tuesday, an annual effort to emphasize philanthropy following Thanksgiving and a weekend focused on shopping. -
Up Close with the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
November 12, 2021
Like a dazzling star, the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional may seem nearly overwhelming in its beauty, at first glance. -
2021 Top 13 Best Holiday Space Gifts
October 29, 2021
Looking for that unique gift for the space lover or STEM-minded youth on your list? -
Purchase the Holiday Bundle in November to give the gift of Cosmosphere Camp!
October 25, 2021
A summer 2022 Cosmosphere Camp is the perfect experience for the science-minded or space-loving student on your list! -
Why Is October an Important Month for the Moonwatch?
October 25, 2021
October is a significant month in the story of the only watch flight-certified by NASA: the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional. -
Watch Out! Four Historic Timepieces On Display at the Cosmosphere
October 6, 2021
Plus – Rock Your Astronaut Style! Now through December 5, Cosmosphere is raffling off one brand-new OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, valued at $6,300. -
Launch of the Space Age
October 1, 2021
October 4th is the 64th Anniversary of the launch of Sputnik and the start of World Space Week 2021. -
Liftoff of Mercury-Atlas 8!
October 1, 2021
Liftoff of Mercury-Atlas 8! -
OMEGA + NASA = A Match Made in Space
October 1, 2021
An enormous OMEGA watch displays the time to visitors from the southwest corner of the Cosmosphere lobby. But did you know that the same display houses some rather notable artifacts—including a watch worn on the Moon by the first U.S. Astronaut. -
Space Artifact of the Month
October 1, 2021
Did you know that the Cosmosphere only displays about 7% of its total artifacts from our collection? Every month you're invited behind-the-scenes to learn about unique space artifacts not typically available to the public with Cosmosphere Space Arti-FACTS. -
Happy 90th Birthday to Astronaut Jack Swigert!
August 30, 2021
Happy birthday to John "Jack" Leonard Swigert Jr.! Jack would have been 90 years old today. (1931-1982) -
Space Influencer Visits Cosmosphere
August 11, 2021
Camille Calibeo, aka The Galactic Gal, chose a visit to the Cosmosphere for her first travel excursion as Galactic Gal since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
So just how big IS the SpaceX Starship?
August 10, 2021
Starship, the massive new fully reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX, just finished a fit test at the company’s Boca Chica launch site in south Texas. -
Neil Armstrong: the first human to walk on the Moon
August 5, 2021
Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. -
What a cool wreck!
July 29, 2021
No one was hurt when the first major launch of the Mercury program, the Mercury-Atlas 1, ended in disaster on July 29, 1960. -
NASA was founded on this day, 63 years ago!
July 29, 2021
On July 29th, 1958, President Dwight D Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 into law, in order "To provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes." -
The Cola Wars Head to Space!
July 28, 2021
July 29, 1985, the Space Shuttle Challenger launched on the STS-51F mission, successfully completing an Abort to Orbit. -
A big piece of history … just hanging around.
July 28, 2021
The flown SR-71 Blackbird spy plane in our lobby reminds us of the epic engineering feats we build on as we look to the future of flight. -
We love you, Wally Funk.
July 19, 2021
Space travel is so new to us, as a species, that every crewed trip to space is historic. -
WHAT DO THE FIRST MOON LANDING, THE LIBERTY BELL 7 SPACECRAFT, AND PIONEERING SPACE-WOMAN WALLY FUNK ALL HAVE IN COMMON?
July 19, 2021
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Liberty Bell 7 Fun Facts
July 19, 2021
Join us in celebrating the 60th anniversary of Liberty Bell 7 with these Fun Facts about the Mercury spacecraft. -
60th Anniversary of Liberty Bell 7 Celebration!
June 23, 2021
Join us in celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Gus Grissom's Liberty Bell 7—along with the celebration of Gemini X and Apollo XI! -
What is Flag Day?
June 11, 2021
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th and was first proposed in the June edition of the 1861 Evening Press. -
The 100th Birthday of Cosmosphere Founder, Patty Carey
June 9, 2021
On June 9, 1921, Patricia Brooks was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. That baby girl was truly destined for the stars. -
Cosmosphere Kicks Off Summer
May 25, 2021
Launch your summer at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson with activities for all ages every day. -
Happy 70th Birthday to Sally Ride!
May 24, 2021
Happy birthday to Sally Ride (1951-2012) on what would have been her 70th birthday on May 26, 2021! -
The Super Flower Blood Moon Eclipse
May 21, 2021
In the early morning Wednesday, May 26, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the only total lunar eclipse of 2021. -
Liftoff of Apollo 10
May 17, 2021
10, 9, we have ignition sequence start, engines ON, 5, 4, 3, 2, all engines running, launch commit, liftoff. -
The Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour
May 12, 2021
The Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off for the 25th and final time on May 16, 2011. -
Cosmosphere Remembers Astronaut Michael Collins
April 28, 2021
Cosmosphere joins the Nation and the World in grieving the loss of an outstanding human–Astronaut Michael Collins. -
60th Anniversary of Freedom 7
April 27, 2021
On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to go into space. -
April 12 In Space History
April 12, 2021
On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter space and the first to orbit Earth. -
I’ll miss you, neighbor.
March 23, 2021
On March 19, I lost a good friend and America lost a hero. -
SPRING BREAK FUN FOR ALL AGES AT THE COSMOSPHERE
March 4, 2021
Spring break 2021 may prove to be one of the most welcome spring breaks in recent history! -
Women’s History Month
March 1, 2021
In celebration of Women's History Month, Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative is encouraging everyone to share about the inspirational and innovative women in our world – Women Making Change. -
MARS 2020 PERSEVERANCE LANDING AND Q&A
February 11, 2021
Join the Cosmosphere on Thursday, February 18 at 2:20 pm CST as Michael Staab, Cosmosphere Camp alumnus and current Fault Management Systems Principal Engineer for the Lunar Lander and Lunar Gateway programs at Northrop Grumman, joins us for a virtual watch party leading up to the live landing of the next Mars rover: Perseverance. -
To the Stars Kansas: A Kansas Day Celebration
January 22, 2021
Kansas Day is Friday, January 29, but we can't fit everything we love about this Ad Astra Per Aspera State into just one day! -
Preparing for a Lightning Strike: Cosmosphere Apollo Q&A
January 5, 2021
In October 2020, as part of the Cosmosphere’s Onward and Upward virtual broadcast, I had the honor of sitting down with the great Gerry Griffin, former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center and legendary flight controller in Mission Control. -
The Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter
December 17, 2020
Jupiter and Saturn will align on December 21, 2020 (coincidentally the Winter Solstice) to create a Great Conjunction of 2020. Jupiter and Saturn have not been this closely aligned at night since March 4, 1226. -
Temporary Parking Changes at the Cosmosphere
December 17, 2020
The State of Kansas will use a portion of Cosmosphere’s parking lot south of 11th Street to conduct drive through COVID Testing beginning December 18. -
Holiday Desserts
December 10, 2020
Please enjoy these holiday recipes from a few friends of the Cosmosphere. -
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
December 8, 2020
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the Cosmosphere! -
We’re Over the Moon for Our Healthcare Workers!
December 4, 2020
To show our gratitude, now through January 3, 2021, healthcare workers and their families are invited to BOGO! -
Cosmosphere Camp Special Offers
November 24, 2020
Don't miss these Cosmosphere Camp Special Offers! -
Top 13 SPACEY Holiday Gifts
November 24, 2020
Looking for that unique gift for the space lover or curious youth on your list? Check out our Top 13 SPACEY Holiday Gifts available in the Cosmosphere Gift Store – in-store or online. -
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 23, 2020
We are closed Thanksgiving day, but we'll be open normal business hours on Friday. -
BLAST OFF With Crew-1 This Weekend!
November 13, 2020
SpaceX and NASA to Launch Crew-1 Mission -
Give a Very Spacey Christmas!
November 11, 2020
Give the gift of: experiences, memberships, camp and more! -
Virtual Book Talk: How We Got to the Moon
November 3, 2020
John Rocco discusses his new book "How We Got to the Moon" in a virtual book discussion. -
Museum Store Sunday
November 3, 2020
On Sunday, November 29, 2020, for the fourth consecutive year, more than 1,400 museum stores representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 22 countries, and five continents will offer inspired shopping at museums and cultural institutions during Museum Store Sunday. -
Veterans Day Salute
October 29, 2020
The Cosmosphere proudly supports the men and women of the armed forces. -
Rare Halloween Blue Moon for 2020
October 20, 2020
There’s no better way to celebrate spooky ghouls, goblins and werewolves on Halloween than under the veil of a ghostly full Moon! -
Onward & Upward: A Virtual Telethon and Auction
October 9, 2020
Help support the Cosmosphere as we move Onward and Upward! -
Mars 2020 Perseverance Launch and Q&A
July 24, 2020
Join the Cosmosphere on Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 am CDT as Michael Staab, Cosmosphere Camp alumnus and current Fault Management Systems Principal Engineer for the Lunar Lander and Lunar Gateway programs at Northrop Grumman, joins us for a virtual event leading up to the live launch of the next Mars rover: Perseverance. -
Back to School Splashdown
July 23, 2020
Celebrate the end of summer and take advantage of the “Back-to-School Splashdown” discount at the Cosmosphere! -
Liberty Bell 7: The Peril and Promise of Space Exploration
July 17, 2020
On July 21, 1961, with a 15-minute suborbital flight of the Mercury spacecraft Liberty Bell 7, Gus Grissom became the second American in space. -
Happy 59th Anniversary, Liberty Bell 7!
July 15, 2020
Join us July 20 and 21 for the 59th anniversary of Liberty Bell 7 during the Cosmosphere’s Summer Space Splashdown! -
Summer Space Splashdown OMEGA Moonwatch Raffle
July 2, 2020
Help support the Cosmosphere during the Summer Space Splashdown by participating in our OMEGA Moonwatch Raffle! -
Liberty Bell 7 Spacecraft to Splashdown at Cosmosphere June 16 through End of 2020
June 4, 2020
Liberty Bell 7 is set to splashdown at the Cosmosphere, following nearly six years of being on exhibit throughout the world. -
Flying a T-38
April 27, 2020
I was Deputy Director of FCOD (Flight Crew Operations Directorate) starting in 1992. -
Thirty Years as a “Hubble Hugger”
April 23, 2020
I remember April 24, 1990 almost as though it was last week. That was the date I was privileged to be on board the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-31, the mission that launched the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) into Earth orbit. -
Conversation with SR-71 PIlot, Colonel Buz Carpenter
April 2, 2020
Colonel Buz Carpenter piloted the SR-71 hanging in the Cosmosphere Lobby. Today, he checked in with us to answer students’ questions about what it was like to fly the SR-71. -
From the Launch Pad
February 7, 2020
This past summer, I was thrilled to be selected by NASA Social to attend the SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s first-ever night launch at Kennedy Space Center. -
The Cosmosphere is Your Place for Space in 2020!
January 7, 2020
The Cosmosphere is Your Place for Space in 2020! And if you’re an educator in Northwestern Kansas, your students don’t even have to make the trek to Hutchinson to experience exciting, hands-on learning. -
Top 13 STEAM Holiday Gifts
December 6, 2019
Looking for that unique gift for the NASA or space lover on your list? Check out our TOP 13 STEAM Holiday Gifts! -
You Never Know Unless You Ask…Sometimes There’s a Story to be Heard
November 20, 2019
I was chasing an errand over the lunch hour on a Wednesday afternoon, when I stopped at a nearby Sam’s store for one of those inexpensive hot dog and drink combos. -
NASA’s 60th Anniversary: Guest Speaker, Tim Rives
July 27, 2018
Tim Rives, the Deputy Director and Supervisory Archivist of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, held a presentation at the Cosmosphere's July Coffee @ the Cosmo event regarding the late President’s establishment of NASA 60 years ago this weekend. Read our top takeaways here. -
MOCR Part 1: A Very Special Delivery
March 26, 2018
Back in January, the Cosmosphere received a very special delivery of 19 mission control consoles from the historic Johnson Space Center Mission Control room. -
In the News: January Sky
January 9, 2018
The New Year opens with some great celestial action before dawn, featuring a close planetary conjunction and a total lunar eclipse. -
Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse
July 24, 2017
The Cosmosphere is teaming up with the Hutchinson Public Library to provide a great event for the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Read on for event information and links to education materials and solar eclipse safety information. -
This Space Museum in Central Kansas Was Worth the 20 Hour Drive
June 23, 2017
Check out a great blog by Maddie Stone, science editor at Gizmodo. -
In the News: Planets in the May Sky
May 12, 2017
The May sky features Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus. Read on to learn what to watch for this month. -
In the News: Planets in the April Sky
April 11, 2017
The April sky is a changing scene of planets and stars. Read on to learn what to watch for in the night sky this month. -
In the News: March Skies
March 16, 2017
The March sky has views of Jupiter and Venus. Read on to learn what to look for in the night sky this month. -
In the News: Planets in the February Sky
February 10, 2017
The February night sky is filled will feature views of Venus, Jupiter, and Uranus. Read on for information on what to watch for in the sky this month. -
In the News: Hidden Figures Artifacts and STEM Education
February 3, 2017
Many artifacts featured and referenced in the film, Hidden Figures, can be found right here in Hutchinson, KS! -
Mercury Crosses the Sun and More May Planetary News
May 2, 2016
For the first time in nearly 10 years, the planet Mercury will be visible as it crosses in front of the sun on May 9. The Cosmosphere will provide its telescopes and specially fitted binoculars to the public to view the event between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Monday, May 9th. Join us (weather permitting) in the south parking lot of the Cosmosphere at the southeast corner of 11th Ave and Plum St. -
Welcome Home Scott Kelly! How are your fingernails?
March 2, 2016
US Astronaut Scott Kelly returned from 340 days in space today. Over the next several weeks, medical teams will be assessing the impact of the long mission on his health. They'll be considering some of the same issues to be addressed at the first-of-its-kind Space Medicine Camp, available for high school students this summer at the Cosmosphere. Students will learn about the physiological and psychological impact of long duration space travel alongside subject matter experts from a variety of health science fields. -
Night Sky Offers Rare View of Five Planets
February 1, 2016
During the next few weeks, all five of the visible planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will appear in the sky at the same time. This fairly rare planetary treat hasn’t happened since 2005. -
Top Ten Reasons Hutchinson, Kansas is the perfect Cosmosphere home
January 4, 2016