Space shuttle icon

Fun Fact: The Franklin Institute has an actual Moon Rock on display in Space Command that was recovered by Astronaut Dave Scott during the Apollo 15 mission.

Exploration and imagination intersect in the Space Command exhibition. The phases of the Moon come into focus as you learn about Earth’s only natural satellite. Construct a rover and see how it fares on a rocky terrain. Spin a ball into the Gravity Well and see centripetal force in action. Touch the meteorite—the oldest thing you’ll ever touch.

Explore neighboring planets including where they are, how they move, and what they’re made of. Discover how the sun impacts each planet in the solar system by providing the light and heat necessary to maintain planetary conditions. You’ll experience the excitement of space exploration and develop an out-of-this-world appreciation for the night sky.
 

Things to Do and See in Space Command

  • Children playing with the gravity well interactive at the Space Command exhibit at The Franklin Institute.
    Spin a Ball into the Gravity Well

    Experiment with centripetal force in action.

  • Two young girls touching the meteorite in the Space Command permanent exhibit at The Franklin Institute.
    Touch a Real Meteorite

    At over 50 million years old, the meteorite is the oldest thing you'll ever touch!

  • Three children building model Mars rovers out of K'nex in the Space Command exhibit at The Franklin Institute.
    Build a Mars Rover using K'Nex

    Will your rover be tough enough to navigate the harsh terrain on Mars?

  • Real astronaut suits in the Space Command exhibit at The Franklin Institute.
    See Suits Worn by Real Astronauts in Space

    Authentic Russian and American spacesuits reveal what humans needed to acclimate to environments in space.

  • Mayan calendar activity in the Space Command exhibit at The Franklin Institute.
    Explore a Mayan Calendar

    Ancient observations about the sun, moon, and stars will fascinate you.

  • Rugged Rovers in Space Command at The Franklin Institute
    Design a Rugged Rover

    Design and draw your own rover, launch it onto the simulated terrain, and see if your design is rugged enough to go the distance.

  • Guests experiencing virtual reality at the Franklin Institute through headsets
    VR Stations

    Preview our mobile app's virtual reality videos with a VR headset at the Space Command exhibit.

Interactive Map

Floor

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Map of the first floor, showing the locations of major, permanent exhibits, the Planetarium, and Foucault’s Pendulum.
Map of the first floor, showing the locations of major, permanent exhibits, the Planetarium, and Foucault’s Pendulum.