Space

The US Space Walk Of Fame Museum Renamed

Meera V Nair
First Posted: Nov 03, 2016 04:11 AM EDT

A museum in Florida, which was headed and supported by spaceflight pioneers, community leaders, and former space program workers, has been given a better name to reflect its unique mission. Know more about now's The American Space Museum.

The US Space Walk of Fame Museum was founded in 2001 and currently, it has been renamed to The American Space Museum. According to Space.com, Tara Dixon Engel, executive director of American Space Museum said, "The name change of the museum was a logical next step in our evolution as it gives the visitors a better idea of what they will experience at our facility."

The museum covers 6100-sq. foot (570-sq.m) and it was moved into its present Titusville building in 2014. The museum displays artifacts and figurines which are mostly donated by the astronauts and space workers who were involved in the US programs since the early 1950s. The museum possesses extraordinary exhibition halls which are completely dedicated to NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs and also the most recently retired space shuttle program.

One of the major highlights of the museum is its popular exhibit which offers the visitors a chance to experience the sensations and sound of an actual rocket countdown and its launch. The Cape Canaveral Room at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station features a sequencer from the Launch Complex 16. It has been used to launch Titan II missiles and consoles from Pad 36A, which were last used during the launch of Atlas-Centaur rockets in 2005.

Since the past few years, the museum has been in the extensive limelight due to the implementation of new collection practices, the creation of interpretive signage and redesigning the galleries and public areas of the facility. There are four monuments constructed to honor the workers behind the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space shuttle programs at the Space View Park. As per a report published in eScience News, Dixon Engel states that today, Titusville maintains the monuments while our foundation manages the engraving process. She also added that they have been trying to improve the processes and the overall visitor experience.

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