Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

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The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is a museum and educational facility in Hutchinson, Kansas that is best known for the display and restoration of space artifacts.

Founded by Patricia Carey as the Hutchinson Planetarium, the Cosmosphere began in 1962 as a planetarium on the Kansas State Fair grounds. In 1966, the Hutchinson Planetarium moved to the campus of Hutchinson Community College to the newly constructed Science and Arts Building. Due to growing popularity, initial expansion started in 1976 and was completed in 1980, with further expansion taking place in the second half of the 1990's. The current facility includes an IMAX Dome theatre (originally OMNIMAX), the Justice Planetarium, and the 2nd largest collection of US space artifacts in the world (second only to the National Air and Space Museum). Dr. Goddard's Lab is now housed in the original planetarium and presents daily shows on how rockets work. The Cosmosphere also has the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. The Cosmosphere is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Educational programs include the Future Astronaut Training Program, a 5-day summer camp for middle school and high school students, an Elderhostel program, and several 1-day or single overnight camp options for elementary school students based on grade level. Adults can also attend the 3-day Adult Astronaut Experience program.

Included in the collection at the Cosmosphere are an SR-71 Blackbird, the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft from Mercury 4 and the Odyssey command module from Apollo 13, as well as replica Redstone and Titan II launch vehicles used in the Mercury and Gemini programs. Restored versions of World War II V-1 and V-2 rockets are also on display. Other notable artifacts include the Emmy Award won by the Apollo 8 mission and numerous prototype spacesuits. Along with the prototype spacesuits are some suits that have actually flown. Both American and Russian spacesuits are shown. Another prized item in the Cosmosphere's collection is a piece of moon rock.

Other items include a collection showing the various tools and vacuum-packed foods that astronauts would carry with them on a typical mission.

The Cosmosphere museum begins with the earliest experiments in rocketry during the World War II era, explores through the "Space Race" and Cold War, and continues through the modern times with the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

Additionally, the Cosmosphere's Space Works built much of the replicated spacecraft hardware seen in the movies Apollo 13, "From the Earth to the Moon", and Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D.

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