National Air and Space Museum Goes High-Tech for Next-Generation Exhibits

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum promotes the United States’ most impressive aeronautic and astronautic achievements. The museum was unveiled in 1976 by then-president Gerald Ford. Fast-forward to 2023, and the museum remains one of the most popular in the country. However, a re-examination of its legacy infrastructure pushed the museum to transform the exhibit experience for a new generation.

In this episode of Feds in the Field, we’ll explore how the National Air and Space Museum leveraged an innovative combination of server, display and networking technology to overhaul its exhibits to be modern, fresh and interactive.

If you enjoyed this video, check out the other videos in our Feds in the Field series:

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• Oak Ridge National Laboratory Prepares for Its Exascale Supercomputer

Jeremy Kinney, Associate Director of Research and Curatorial Affairs, National Air and Space Museum

Beth Wilson, Museum Educator, National Air and Space Museum

Alex Van Ness, Supervisor of Exhibits Technology, National Air and Space Museum

• An aging building that had weathered a regional earthquake and shifting visitor expectations presented the perfect opportunity to reimagine the museum's exhibits.
• An impressive mix of cutting-edge audiovisual, server, networking and display technology fuels the innovative exhibits on display at the museum today.
• The interactive experiences are a draw for new and seasoned visitors alike.