Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Ever wonder what happened to the Space Shuttle Discovery after its final mission? Here at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, you can see Discovery up close and personal. This isn’t just any museum; it’s the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s annex, right by Dulles Airport. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened in 2003, thanks to a generous donation from Steven F. Udvar-Hazy himself. He co-founded International Lease Finance Corporation. This enormous 760,000-square-foot facility houses thousands of artifacts, many too large for the main museum on the National Mall. Inside, you’ll find two massive hangars: the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is more than just a storage facility. It’s a place where history comes alive. Imagine seeing the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that changed the course of World War II. Or picture yourself standing beneath the Space Shuttle Discovery, marveling at its size and complexity. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center also houses the Gemini 7 space capsule, a Concorde supersonic airliner, and even the prototype for the Boeing 707. Beyond the big names, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center showcases the breadth of aviation and space exploration. You’ll find everything from a tiny Bede BD-5J (the smallest crewed jet aircraft) to a massive Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation. There’s even a piece of fabric from the Hindenburg. The museum continues to grow, with ongoing restoration projects and new acquisitions. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes. From the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, you can watch planes land at Dulles. In the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, you can see how these historic artifacts are preserved. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of the skies and beyond.