New Mexico Museum of Space History

Alamogordo was on our list of space-related stops on our 2019 "Space Cowboys" trip for research into spaceflight history, so we were delighted to learn they had an official Department of Cultural Affairs Museum devoted to space. Nearby Holloman Air Force Base was an integral part of the story of early rocketry and experimentation on how G-forces affected humans. The original rocket sled developed and used for that purpose is on display here. Holloman also served as the primate research center for when chimpanzees were sent into space, and exhibits delve into that. Ham, the first hominid in space, was trained here. John's dad Jim helped put Ham in space on a Mercury Redstone rocket, a successful mission in 1961. Ham died in 1983 and is buried on the grounds of this museum.
When STS-3 landed at White Sands Space Harbor, the only Space Shuttle to do so, John was part of the landing crew for that mission to ensure the safety of the astronauts and vehicle upon return to Earth. We spent a great deal of time with the exhibits, but found very little about the Shuttle. We're assured it will be added in the future remodel of the galleries.