New Mexico has a rich history in space exploration. From the development

of rockets to modern space flight, New Mexico has been the place for

engineering, testing and researching of space technology. We even have a

few astronauts who have or had made their home here.

Alamogordo is an excellent place to learn and experience a small

history of space technology. From the Space Museum you can see

White Sands where missiles were tested and where the Space Shuttle

lands sometimes. Outside the Space Museum are some rockets and missiles.

There is also a Gemini capsule just outside the entrance. Only one

astronaut could fit inside. As I sat in it with my little boys, I was amazed that

we sent a man into space with this small and clunky thing.

Truly God protected our efforts!

Inside the museum is a history of rocketry and flight. The culmination

is Space Exploration. There are replicas of Sputnik, V-2s,

Space Shuttles, Apollo capsules, Saturn rockets … Just about any

rockets that existed. The men and women who propelled this branch

of science are also written about. All through history – Pythagoras,

Hippocrates, Galileo, Newton, Bohr, von Braun, Oppenheimer,

and others are given their due.

The museum also has an Imax. We decided to see a movie

called “Magnificent Desolation” narrated by Tom Hanks, from the

three that were offered. It was about our past exploration of the

Moon. An excellent movie! It highlighted the efforts of the early

space program: the hard work and determination that went into

every flight. The movie also stated that we are forgetting this historic

event and that it could quickly pass from our memory unless we are

diligent to remember! This was a great time in our history as a

nation and in scientific inquiry. May we once again gain that pride

that caused us to lead the world in such exploration!!

The X Prize Cup

took a step towards commercial space travel.

Virgin Galactic,

the winner of this award, is making NM its headquarters.

Some time in the future, the spaceport will have short trips into space for a fee.

Unless you live close to Alamogordo, you will probably want to spend

at least a night. Good News! The Space Museum is not the only thing to

do in this area. Here is a list of other attractions within driving

distance: White Sands Missile Range Museum, National Solar

Observatory, Lincoln National Forrest, Oliver Lee Memorial

State Park, The Malpais – Valley of Fires (very cool), Trinity Site

(only open two days a year and I wouldn’t advise actually standing on

the site the first atomic bomb was detonated), Inn of the Mountain Gods,

and others…

I would encourage all homeschoolers to take a field trip here

and just enjoy the time with your family and learning more of

New Mexico’s rich scientific history.