There is an obvious relationship between aeronautics and astronautics
since the same principles of physics apply and many materials and
techniques of construction are common. Nevertheless, in the decades
following World War II, rocketry, guided missiles, and space flights
were rapidly developing a complex history and lore quite different from
that of aviation. Accordingly, in 1965, the Museum established a
Department of Astronautics parallel with a Department of Aeronautics.
At that time, artifacts in categories of rocket propulsion, guided
missiles, and space-flight programs were placed under curatorial control
of the Astronautics Department. In 1967 the Smithsonian Institution and
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration signed an agreement
which provided for transfer of title to and custody of significant space
artifacts by the Museum after their technical need had passed. Through
provisions of this instrument the preservation and exhibit of this
country’s most important spacecraft, rocket engines, launch vehicles,
and missiles has been assured for posterity.
With the construction of the new Museum building on the Mall literally
dozens of exciting and fascinating astronautical artifacts have been
acquired, some just a few months before our opening in July 1976. All
major artifacts on exhibit at the opening are described herein with
brief historical summaries.
F. C. Durant III
Assistant Director, Astronautics
January 13, 1976