Why the National Air and Space Museum Is (Temporarily) Closing

NOTE: This video was filmed in August 2021. The museum will experience some closures until fall 2022. Learn more here: airandspace.si.edu/visit/muse...
If you've tried to visit in the last few years, COVID aside, you know that Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has been undergoing a major renovation. Project Manager Ashlee Prevette walks Adam Savage through the ambitious but ultimately important build, which is planned to be seven years in the making.
Shot and edited by Joey Fameli
Produced by Kristen Lomasney
Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks:
/ @tested
Tested Ts, stickers, mugs and more: tested-store.com
Subscribe for more videos (and click the bell for notifications): kzbin.info_c...
Twitter: / testedcom
Facebook: / testedcom
Instagram: / testedcom
Discord: / discord
Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/adamsavage...
Savage Industries T-shirts: cottonbureau.com/stores/savag...
Tested is:
Adam Savage / donttrythis
Norman Chan / nchan
Joey Fameli www.joeyfameli.com
Ryan Kiser / ryan.kiser
Jen Schachter www.jenschachter.com
Kishore Hari / sciencequiche
Sean Charlesworth / cworthdynamics
Jeremy Williams / jerware
Kayte Sabicer / kaytesabicer
Bill Doran / chinbeard
Ariel Waldman / arielwaldman
Darrell Maloney / brokennerd
Kristen Lomasney / krystynlo
Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#AdamSavage #Smithsonian #NationalAirAndSpace

[@dannymac6368]

Adam was 500% serious about rolling up his sleeves and helping out. 😄🥰

[@morpheus636]

I mean, he has the experience, lol.

[@tested]

NOTE: This video was filmed in August 2021. The museum will experience some closures until fall 2022. Learn more here: airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc Watch more from Adam's visit to the National Air and Space Museum here: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAeiJ7tjkIqcrRPfIYZHPW643

[@IMarvinTPA]

Can we have a playlist of Smithsonian in filmed order? Better to watch the hidden beaming of Adam over time?

[@d-granter5126]

do another tour of maker spaces infact open an entire guide and possibly website and create a space studio variation with space vendors and robotics i can list thousands of projects and the benefits are massive even astroid detection can be installed as its just screens a few space hotel concepts and so on r2d2 coffee machine and coral reef incubators we gotta pull out the stops yet make it easy what would 10 stations from earth to mars look like a couple of white space crates and wall panelling and then some 3d printed rovers and nasa projects oceanic robotics can we merge robert downy juniors footprint coalition water bottle cryogenic sleep chambers batteries not included 3d prints hover cars and space drive through concepts the magic is only beginning lets tear another world out of this golden age of opportunity think futuristic sliding doors and computer art kitbash projects decking the halls with mag lev trains and hobbit houses , space jewellery, project cases becoming a new craze

[@jasonk9779]

@@d-granter5126 False.

[@2k1014]

As an avid fan of this channel and a Mechanical Engineer who has worked on the design for the renovation of this building (as well as several other Smithsonian projects), seeing the joy and appreciation that Adam shows makes my job so much more rewarding. Thank you for going behind the scenes and spotlighting this work.

[@tested]

It's amazing work. We LOVE visiting!

[@brentsrx7]

Aaron, your work looks great! I do wonder why the focus of the museum is moving away from the incredible engineering and aerospace achievements of the last century to "speed" and "cool-looking" culturally-focused displays. There are plenty of museums around the country that we can visit for automotive or pop-culture fun. Why not focus on the engineering being done at SpaceX or Blue Origin. Why not replace the flashy graphics and cars with a cutaway of a raptor engine, the A4 or soviet engine like the NK15/33. Also, there are so many incredible developmental aircraft to display and fascinating stories of the test pilots who flew them. Sorry to rain on your parade here, but there is so little space in that facility, and so many incredible artifacts that the next generation of dreamers need to see. Why use that precious space for flashy graphics and "speed"?

[@MichaelGraffin]

@@brentsrx7 A lot of that kind of stuff is in the Udvar Hazy Center which has so much more space … although it’s been years since I was able to visit these places.

[@2k1014]

@@brentsrx7 Thanks! Although I’m just one person out of hundreds who were involved in this project. I wouldn’t consider this MY work at all. I helped design the renovation of the building itself, not the exhibits within the building, so I unfortunately don’t have any insight into why the Smithsonian made the decisions they did.

[@pydepyper]

Love Adam going into museums and showing us some behind the scenes and geeking out. Museums make me so excited and having been to the NAAS before it's amazing that it's getting and update!

[@kimberlyterasaki4843]

I kind of wish we had a Night at the Museum mini-series with one episode per museum of the Smithsonian.

[@AngryBerb]

There's actually a British TV series called "One Night In" whose premise is basically that with comedians. Not all of the episodes are in museums but the second one is in the Natural History Museum in London.

[@Cruiserfrank]

I spent the fall college semester, 1976, in Washington, just a couple of months after the NASM opened. I spent MANY hours there and I'm going to be VERY excited to see it again after all these years and after all this amazing work.

[@JBLewis]

In the spring of either 77 or 78 I visited the NASM and as a elementary school-aged kid was utterly blown away by it. There were so many things that created life long memories long before I really understood almost any of it. I particularly never realized how *new* the museum was at that time, until today.

[@timdiggerm]

I think this is my favorite of the Air & Space videos yet (though some of the Conservation Lab ones are pretty close), partly because it gave us a glimpse of the Museum in progress, but also because it covered some of the overall process of museum exhibit design/building/etc, at least from a logistical perspective. This was really interesting.

[@thatguyanderson]

I’ve been loving this series. It’s nice to see how much everybody cares about this project.

[@tested]

Thanks so much for the comment. Means a lot to us!

[@travdurland5676]

I was lucky enough to be able to help repair the 3/4 scale x-wing on display at Wings over the Rockies air & space museum in Colorado. An amazing & nerve wracking experience. Even better, is sitting in the cockpit. The work done by The X-Wing Project to restore the X-Wing is phenomenal & I encourage everyone to make the trip to see the museum. Every aircraft on display is amazing & the experience is worth the trip.

[@thatadamwhitley]

Growing up less than an hour away, I spent a LOT of time here. I remember 1998 when they had an exhibit with hundreds of Star Wars props that I spent all day with. Not much changes there, though. Glad to see it’s getting a refresh.

[@dorsk84]

Thats the last time I was there...... wow! Was it that long ago?

[@taylormiller590]

I remember when I was on a high school trip to DC the American History Museum was closed and they had a display at Air and Space, they had the Ruby Slippers on display. I still need to go see the American history museum.

[@twalt]

the question/answer about being overwhelmed about the quantity of projects and work was very nice, thank you

[@dwgustaf]

These videos deserve a mega-like button! I'm one of those types that are curious about the behind the scenes stuff that goes on for presentations like what they are making. I would love to go see there someday and see those exhibits.

[@jetblast1212]

An amazing project and an amazing video. Ashlee and her team have a huge job and seem to be handling our nation's historical objects wonderfully. Brava to Ashlee and Bravo to Adam for taking us behind the scenes to see it.

[@abubbam]

I would love to see more museum, zoo and aquarium behind the scenes on how they make exhibits

[@tested]

We went behind the scenes of Smithsonian Exhibits, if you're interested: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAehZtM5dZRdsW3ementwGP4u

[@lilpsack7194]

zoo’s 🤮😵🤢👎🏻

[@MrJakson112]

Museums, yes! Animal prisons, no thanks though.

[@WTDoorley]

Thank you, Tested team. This brought back so many memories, to quote "Field of Dreams," I had to swat them away like flies. I worked as a museum aide at NASM in the early 1980s while I was in college. My first job was right below Adam's feet in Gallery 103, then "General Aviation." We had three GAT-1 flight simulators we used to give visitors two-minute flying lessons. (I once gave a ride to Ron Cobb, the great designer.) Later on, I was an usher in the Einstein Planetarium and Langley IMax Theater. But wait, there's more. Many years later, I worked as a writer/producer for a company that designed and built audiovisual exhibits for museums, so I have some idea what it's like to start with blank walls and an empty floor and turn it into a fully immersive, multi-media experience for visitors. So thank you for the preview. Can't wait to see the new NASM.

[@noahstudeman]

Super cool! The mail plane that hangs in the main lobby area is either the exact same or similar to what my great grandfather flew!

[@B-in-Norva]

I'm just in awe of the professionalism and proud ownership the Smithsonian folks have. They sure take on HUGE responsibilities and follow through so that we, the unaware public get to see these National Treasures in the proper, respectful context. 'Effing amazing, Smithsonian staff!!

[@SmolFenFen]

I wish I had the same kind of access that Adam does. There is a certain Joy in being able to reach out and touch things that few other people have access to. I miss the days when I was stationed at Moody Air Force Base, and in just my daily work I could reach up and rub my hand on the wing of a fighter jet.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

good to see its getting a refresh, both the Apollo and general space exhibits were ancient, like they had a huge room practically dedicated to the space shuttle

[@mamiebobb4173]

I am so freaking jealous of you. In 1961 my family moved to the Washington DC area when my dad's job transferred him here. The first weekend after arriving, he took us to the Smithsonian where we passed a "garden" full of rocket ships at the beautiful old Arts & Industries building, next to the castle. There was no Air & Space Museum yet, but the artifacts that would eventually go there were being collected and displayed anyway. At the ripe old age of 11, I fell in love with the SI and was determined to work there one day. Well, I ended up in another government agency, but I eventually retired and as soon as I could, became a volunteer at the SI. When I wasn't working there, I would visit each building as often as possible. It was absolutely KILLING me that I couldn't get into the NAAS museum until this rehab was completed. I could only get my 'fix' by watching your videos. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your bringing us into the museum and sharing the wonders you found there! I believe it's scheduled to reopen soon now - March 3. I can hardly wait!

[@tested]

Thank you for the wonderful story, and comment! We're so glad you're enjoying the videos. Note that the museum opens but then closes for six months, reopening in the fall. More here: airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc

[@Johnny.f.face1]

Her helmet is with her name on it adorable. ☺️ What a mammoth task to keep organized. Kudos Ashlee!

[@halfghostgirl]

Love museums and love learning about museums!! Such a cool topic that often gets overlooked.

[@Merennulli]

It's so amazing to see these things, especially with someone so into it as Adam is being the one asking the questions.

[@peterkelley6344]

An amazing interview. Thanks Adam for working and arranging this presentation.

[@avoirdupois1]

A great behind-the-scenes look at this project! I love how Adam combines his own knowledge of both personal experience in moving large objects (putting a forklift tine into a truck) and in project management in this discussion.

[@FarrellMcGovern]

That intern now has some of the best bragging rights..."I drove a Corvette through the National Air and Space Museum in Washington! No NASCAR driver has ever done that!"

[@peterkelley6344]

Imagines that as a legitimate movie scene.

[@josephalexander3884]

I did not realize the old building was still in use. I thought the Dulles facility replaced it. Thank you for unprecedented access. Your work is deeply appreciated.

[@filanfyretracker]

no the one at the airport was basically because they have so much stuff, and it let them put bigger things on display like a space shuttle for example.

[@N1RKW]

I love the NAAS. I got to visit it once as a kid in the mid 80s, and then with my wife and son in the late 90s. I hope I get to see it again someday. The highlight for me was being a bit naughty by reaching out and carefully touching the Spirit of St. Louis. It was amazing to me to feel a visceral connection to such an awesome piece of aviation history.

[@CanYouDodgeThis]

This is great for the museum. Excited to check it out once it is finished.

[@mushieslushie]

I went here over 20 years ago as a kid, I would definitely like to go back when its done. Certainly one of the best museums in the world (and its free).

[@PostalTwinkie]

"10 year temporary" is a saying that is going in the toolbox! We all have that 10 year temporary thing somewhere in our life!

[@bobdole4916]

The planning for all of those logistical Gordian knots has got to be just massive. I'd imagine the work being done took a year or more to lay out the framework and then new planning is done as needed. I'll bet those folks figure out efficiencies that really help.

[@doncrescas]

I grew up in the DC suburbs and the Air & Space Museum was definitely my happy place. I think I had a membership from when I was about 9.

[@86fifty]

Ooooh, this is such a good story!! Like, good journalism, too! Props for making this vid!

[@floramew]

I visited the Smithsonian natural history museum about...15 years ago, I guess. Don't think I got to see much of the air & space museum, but this whole video has made me want to see it. Hopefully by the time the 7 year restoration is done, covid will also be contained or controlled enough that I feel comfortable going to places like museums again, this looks so promising!

[@animehuntress9018]

My dream job is to be a librarian of a museum. To be around all that history and to handle all the information behind it... literally gives me shivers.

[@GRW3]

My first trip to NASM was in December of 1982. They still had public parking under the museum at that time.

[@CruceibleProductions]

I’m excited to go back once it’s finished!!

[@Eremon1]

Very cool museum. Almost enough to make me want to come to the USA. I love Adam's enthusiasm for science and technology, something I share with him for sure. It takes a ton of good people to be able to retrofit an existing museum without damaging anything. Very interesting stuff.

[@stargzrrag]

Thank you for this video. I am planning a trip to DC and have been concerned over the closures they have going on at the Air and Space Museum.

[@gingerscholar152]

I was hoping to go to the NAAS during spring break. Can't wait for the updated exhibits

[@kencoleman5007]

This reminds me that I have to dust the 2021 LEGO Discovery Orbiter and it's accompanying Hubble. Part of their cool display is how high up they are (the shuttle positioned maybe one cm below the ceiling), but that display has to be maintained.

[@bobloblaw706]

I absolutely love all the museum videos! It makes me really wish that Adam would do a behind the scenes of the Denver Museum Of Nature and Science. It'd be cool to hear from the paleontologists that work there. (Plus an excuse for Adam to visit his son if still located in Colorado)

[@ericepperson8409]

Even with the masks, you can tell from the emotion in their voices Adam and Ashlee are having a wonderful time with this conversation. Love these bits from the Smithsonian.

[@GOPGOP-bk2yy]

The NASM does have a lot of very good exhibits but it is usually so crowded it is sometimes almost impossible to move around.

[@jdcage]

Great video. Thank you.

[@nicholassee8855]

I have yet to visit the air and space museum since I live in Singapore but I’m hope to visit it someday

[@Michael-nf1ej]

Great stuff!!

[@crazyyuri]

What a great place! Wow!

[@kipronoxor]

Loving the coverage of NASM! bet i'll travel to the US specifically for it soon

[@apocalypse487]

It's a really cool museum. Been here a dozen times.

[@tomwinter1317]

Love these behind the scenes glimpses

[@namegirl12]

i've been twice and enjoyed it immensely. apparently i've got to go again. how exciting!

[@mikealbrecht3990]

Have you been to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson near Dayton, Ohio?

[@lkjh861]

I hope that Corvette under the cover is one of the 1969 gold Corvettes that were given to the astronauts of Apollo 12 ~ would fit in with the whole NAAS theme SOOO neatly... 🚀💗😘

[@sonictundra1909]

awww this is the same year I'm finally going to DC too...

[@chrismoody1342]

The Air and Space museum in DC is a must see when visiting the area.

[@andrewwatts970]

These museum episodes are so great. Perhaps a visit to the academy museum would be fun!

[@devinjackson2373]

Great Video!!

[@MrChief101]

Utterly fascinating.

[@rickzips684]

Super fascinating video.

[@jdjeep98]

Ashlee is awesome. Sounds like she's the kind of project manager that anyone would want.

[@bob9802]

I was surprised to see a steel chain resting directly against the x-wing at 8:47. Should have had a cloth in there or something.

[@ronwhitmill7068]

Ever the presenter, ever the multi-skilled person we came to know through mythbusters!.

[@joshua.snyder]

RIP, Ivan Reitman. You are missed.

[@zbeebs]

"40 years is a building's lifespan...". Europe: uh, really?

[@michaelsommers2356]

I remember when the museum was in a Quonset hut behind the castle.

[@Zarcondeegrissom]

with all the cool stuff Rocket Lab and SpaceX are doing of late, I can only imagine all the cool stuff that may eventually be on display at the National Air and Space Museum. Maybe someday, a particular red car with a spacesuit in the driver seat may even end up on display there, one can hope at least.

[@floramew]

If anything could benefit from the onslaught of covid, it seems like a museum doing a massive renovation that would result in closing exhibits for years at a time would be one of them. I'm sure there was plenty of issues from it, and a lot of people working very hard to stay on schedule despite those issues, I'm not trying to diminish the work of any of the fine people involved in all this-- but better for that dip in traffic to happen these past two years than just after the 7 year project has finished.

[@HE-162]

Just a suggestion, repeat this series with the USAF museum in Ohio 🙃

[@MrNBridger]

I am surprised that we have not seen a video with Adam at the studio model of the Enterprise.

[@Point221b]

Hi Adam, great video. Sad news of Ivan Reitman. 😔

[@Biofan813]

What happened to Ivan?

[@NewNormac]

Couldn’t the same technology that’s used in DJI drones for obstacle avoidance be used on large equipment, like the forklifts, to deter any potential accidents? What do you all think about that

[@jacobematt6222]

I'm surprised they're using unistrut. Stuff is crazy expensive.

[@Tokahax]

Adam seems specifically qualified to volunteer modeling work on the X-Wing

[@PrograError]

well... he did create Tipoca City in EP II (well... the model...)

[@kuhenelan]

I mean what does a Corvette have to do with Air and Space? Rolls Royce (although not American) would make sense in such an exhibit. To say that it's about speed and look we have racing planes too, seems like a stretch. I'm guessing Chevy is sponsoring this.

[@T_Mo271]

It's going to be awesome.

[@Kerry_Saunders]

Nation of Speed gallery, eh? Interestingly that this isn't the first time sports cars and rockets have been combine :P

[@samgranier6735]

Cool And the plane cactus 1549 of Sully sulinberger? (Lansing on udson river)

[@jtamsett]

I have been there. It is basically at the Dulles airport.

[@SearTrip]

This isn’t Udvar-Hazy, at Dulles. This is the main Air & Space Museum on the mall, near the U.S. Capitol.

[@Xydroos]

nice interview.

[@TheJimtanker]

As long as the Air Force Air and Space Museum at Wright-Patterson is still open then I'm good. I think it's a better museum.

[@kabel9357]

I kinda want a Smithsonian high-vis work vest now...

[@Ekasmer549]

I went there like 6mos ago and it was a huge disappointment because everything was closed. Still amazing but not what I remembered. Hopefully next visit it’ll be back up and a lot better.

[@popepaul4438]

Unfortunately for me it’s just a dream to be able to look around some of your amazing museums in the US you have so much to see and so much technology of God Bygone days I for one a UK citizen would love to see God bless and stay safe

[@filanfyretracker]

could probably make a vacation of the Smithsonian Institution alone. Quite possibly one of the most important educational assets this country has.

[@popepaul4438]

@@filanfyretracker I would love to do that unfortunately I’m disabled and able to work some money is quite tight do you have some fantastic museums and sites over in the US maybe one day stay safe

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

👍👍

[@trumane55]

When they talk about moving things, I can't help but think of Kramer saying "bring it in sideways and hook it"

[@lkjh861]

I love her slightly winded breath ~ cuz it's not exactly obvious to the viewer, whether it is from being a bit nervous and star-struck from meeting Adam/being on screen... or... whether it is a super experienced project manager becoming more and more stressed at the time she's losing doing PR... 😄

[@pawpawstew]

This is interesting. I was under the impression that the artifacts at the downtown site were all going to move out to the Udvar-Hazy facility at Dulles so there would be a single NASM location.

[@HE-162]

I haven’t been to the museum in well over 20 years, but I was under the impression that the hazy facility was only storage/resto/back of house...not a “museum” in the way that the downtown site is?

[@KristenK78]

I can’t see that ever happening. Both facilities are filled with items of historic value, and they serve different audiences. And what would go in the space currently occupied by the museum on the Mall?

[@Silumet]

@@HE-162 No, it definitely has a lot of exhibit space, including the space shuttle Discovery

[@HE-162]

@@Silumet shit. Time to make a trip lol

[@filanfyretracker]

@@KristenK78 my understanding is also that both truly are full. As in they would need a few more buildings to display the whole collection.

[@Finallybianca]

Wonder if The American Museum Of Speed Loaned anything?

[@pastaman64]

Guess we'll have to go to the stamp musem instead

[@briannicklas109]

More on NASM work here - www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157707946474384

[@Tstormer]

How much money do they make there ?

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

I'm especially looking forward to the promised 'Hidden Figures' exhibit, so I can teach my children about the uppity sassy black ladies who made space travel possible.

[@GrahamGibby]

The content was compelling enough this time to forgive the shaky-cam. Seriously, though...

[@pulsingbrain8048]

If my company would approve it, I want her safety helmet ... what is the make and model?

[@photonutter1]

Lightening Mcqueen under that tarp

[@DragonGateDesign]

what i hate about museums, in Indiana Jones the line "that belongs in a museum "is used often. Its billed as maintain things for posterity or future generations or FOR ALL TO ENJOY...yet the public will only ever see what 10% of the millions of items help in museum volts and storage. All these artifacts and fossils and what have you will never see the light of day yet god forbid they end up in private collections or sold

[@chuckmoore8668]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Elon Musk didn't put the first car in space. GM did that and went past low Earth Orbit and put it on the moon! If I remember right GM was who built the lunar rovers! Suck on that Tesla roadster!

[@AJD09FB]

The rovers were designed and built by Boeing, using some GM parts. And I don't think that Musk ever claimed to have put the first car in space. Maybe the first *production* car. Hopefully, into orbit around Mars.

[@RailPreserver2K]

Have you seen there southern railway locomotive