Adopt an Artifact Program

Support the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Adopt an Artifact is back with new artifacts and benefits

Artifacts at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center play a vital role in our mission as they tell a story through science, engineering, mathematics, and technology feats of past generations.  These national treasures not only teach the public about our past, but also play a large role in the education mission of our space, aviation, robotic and cyber camps.

The Adopt an Artifact Program is your opportunity to adopt a piece of history and help us as we honor our past by preserving our historical artifacts of the past and ignite the space stories of the future. Your donation will assist us in our mission of preserving, conserving, and restoring these treasures for future generations so they can better understand the history of space exploration that landed America on the moon.

Army Redstone

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Named for Redstone Arsenal where it was developed, the  Army Redstone missile played a crucial role in the U. S.'s defense capability. It was nicknamed “Old Reliable” due to its outstanding launch record. First deployed in 1958, the Redstone was the forerunner of the Jupiter missile. The Redstone on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the first production Redstone manufactured in Warren, Michigan. Its Serial Number CC-001. It was used for training soldiers at Redstone Arsenal, with stamps on interior components that read “For Training Use Only.”

Juno II

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The Juno II was modified from the Jupiter intermediate-range ballistic missile, with upper stages and payload sections added. Juno IIs were used for ten uncrewed launches from 1958-1961. These missions included Pioneer IV, America's first successful lunar flyby mission and Explorer XI, the first gamma ray detection satellite.

Saturn I, Block II

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The Saturn I was the first American launch vehicle developed solely for space exploration. It had a 100% success rate, unprecedented for its time. The Saturn I had two versions, Block I and Block II. In the Block II configuration, the Saturn I had stabilizing fins, lengthened fuel tanks and improved H-1 engines. This combination increased the first stage thrust to over 1,500,000 pounds at launch. Since additional performance improvements were necessary to facilitate NASA objectives for the Apollo program, the Saturn I was eventually replaced by the more powerful Saturn IB.

Mercury Redstone

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The Mercury Redstone is based on the Army Redstone missile. It has an upgraded engine and additional propellant capacity to carry the Mercury space capsule. It was used to launch the first American into space, Alan Shepard, in May 1961. This Mercury-Redstone was used for MR-1, the first test flight. An issue with power and control cables caused the engine to shut down immediately after ignition. MR-1 rose 3.8 inches (9.7 centimeters) before settling back into place. After the test, MR-1 was transported to Marshall Space Flight Center for study before eventual display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Jupiter C/Juno I

JUPITER-C EXPLORER 1 LIFTOFF ON JANUARY 31, 1959, REF: 59K-2400-2 (MIX FILE)

The Juno I is a variant of the Jupiter-C that looked identical but added an additional single-motor upper stage and was specifically designed to carry lightweight payloads into low-Earth orbit. A Juno I launch vehicle was used to launch America’s first satellite, Explorer I, on January 31, 1958.

Jupiter

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The Jupiter was America’s first intermediate-range ballistic missile and was used to launch two monkeys into space on May 28, 1959. Achieving an altitude of 300 miles (480 meters), monkeynauts Able and Baker were the first primates to be launched into space and successfully recovered. Miss Baker spent the later years of her life at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Saturn V (Replica)

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The Saturn V is a symbol of ingenuity and “can-do” spirit for the world. The iconic Saturn V replica that stands on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, inspires hundreds of thousands who visit the Center each year from all over the United States and around the world. Built in 1999, the Saturn V replica sends a reminder that achieving lofty dreams is possible. Your help enables the preventive maintenance that protects this landmark from the effects of weathering.

A-12 Oxcart

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A-12 Oxcart was the successor to the U2 Spy plane and developed by the CIA. The Oxcart became operational in 1965. Single seat aircraft unlike the SR-71. In creating the Oxcart new cutting edge innovations took place in titanium fabrication along with new jet fuels and flight controls, electronic counter measures, along with the pilot life support system. Speed Mach 3.2 or just over 2200 miles per hour at 90,000 ft. Camera system on the A-12 was better than the 71 but the 71 could collect more data giving the 71 an advantage.

F-14A Tomcat

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This aircraft, an F-14A, Bureau Number 160661, was a part of Navy Fighter Squadron VF-51, aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on its maiden voyage and in VF-124 at Naval Air Station Miramar, CA, where it served as a training aircraft. This aircraft also participated in a NASA effort to improve F-14 maneuvering. The F-14 Tomcat was a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-seat fighter designed for the US Navy. The F-14’s AWG-9 radar was a powerful Pulse-Doppler, multi-mode system that tracked up to 24 targets simultaneously, attacked six targets with its Phoenix AIM-54A missiles closed-circuit while continuing to scan the airspace.

Pathfinder

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The Pathfinder was constructed at the Marshall Space Flight Center in 1977 as an Orbiter Simulator. It was designed to be a stand-in for the Orbiter Enterprise, which was to be involved in extensive ground testing at the center. In early 1978, the Pathfinder was hoisted to the top of Marshall’s 4OO-foot tall Dynamics Test Stand in “dry runs” for the Mated Vertical Ground Vibration Tests planned for Enterprise. It was destined to become part of the world’s only launch configuration (full stack) shuttle display. In May of 1988 Pathfinder was placed on top of the External Tank in Shuttle Park.

Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA)

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Pilot astronauts trained for landing the Space Shuttle Orbiter by using ground-based simulations, however, this did not prepare them for the forces of an unpowered approach and landing. NASA needed to be able to mimic the physical experience of an Orbiter on approach. The Gulfstream II’s left-hand seat was adapted to closely resemble a Shuttle’s flight deck with the same features and hand controls a Shuttle commander would use during a mission. Several passenger seats in the back of the aircraft were replaced by a bank of Shuttle-simulating computers. The STA flies at the same speeds, dive angle, and approach trajectory as the Shuttle. To accomplish the “falling brick” feeling, they would lower the main gear of the STA and put the engines in reverse thrust. Prior to a Shuttle mission, a commander was required to complete 1,000 STA landings.

Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF)

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This MQF housed the Apollo 12 astronauts. NASA hired Melpar, Inc. to build four MQFs for Apollo missions 11-14. The MQF was fabricated with an Airstream shell built on a customized platform, complete with living space and a medical diagnostic center. The MQF program was developed in reaction to fears about human exposure to possible Moon organisms unknown on Earth that could initiate an uncontrollable epidemic. This modified Airstream trailer was used by returning Apollo 12 astronauts Alan L. Bean, Richard Gordon, and Charles “Pete” Conrad. The crew stayed in the MQF while it was flown from the recovery aircraft carrier Hornet to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and then for several more days while at the center for a total confinement of approximately 65 hours. In 2007, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) received an email from Dr. Paul Johnson, a supervisor for the Alabama Department of Conservation. Johnson had discovered an old Airstream trailer at a fish hatchery in Marion, Alabama. Being a space enthusiast, he suspected this was no ordinary Airstream. The USSRC confirmed it was the Apollo 12 MQF.

Skylab (indoor Skylab)

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Marshall Space Flight Center agreed on the basic configuration of the Skylab Orbital Workshop in 1966, and in September of 1972, it was completed and integration with the other major components began. Officially designated SL-1, Skylab launched on May 14, 1973. Skylab hosted three crewed missions, the final setting a record of 84 days in space. Skylab began its deorbit back to Earth July 11, 1979, but the space station failed to break apart after a planned tumble maneuver causing debris to fall across Southwest Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to preserve, conserve or restore artifacts?

Taking actions that anticipate or prevent deterioration, maintaining an item in its original condition, or returning the deteriorated item to its original or near-original condition.

 

Will my donation go to conserve a specific artifact?

Yes. You will have the option to choose which artifact you would like to adopt in the drop-down menu.

 

Can I view any of the artifacts?

Yes. Several are currently on display in our permanent exhibition areas. However, some artifacts are currently offline or in a work/storage area. To check the online status of an artifact, please email [email protected].

 

Will I get a letter for tax purposes?

You will immediately receive an email confirmation and our team will send a tax receipt/confirmation letter within two weeks of receipt of your donation.

 

Can I adopt in someone else’s name?

Yes. An artifact can be adopted in honor of or in memory of someone, or you can surprise someone with an adoption gift!

10% of each donation goes into an endowment to continue to invest in our artifacts for generations to come.
5¢ of every dollar donated goes to executing and sustaining the program.