The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s companion facility located near Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. It complements the main National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in D.C. by housing a vast collection of aircraft and spacecraft that are too large for the downtown museum.
Key Facts:
Opened: December 15, 2003
Named after: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, a philanthropist and aviation enthusiast who donated $66 million toward its construction.
Size: Over 760,000 sq. ft., with more than 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
Highlights of the collection:
Space Shuttle Discovery
Enola Gay (B-29 bomber from WWII)
SR-71 Blackbird
Concorde supersonic jet
Stealth aircraft (B-2 Spirit)
Many other historical and experimental aircraft and spacecraft
Special features:
Observation tower overlooking Dulles Airport
Restoration hangars where aircraft are preserved and restored
Interactive exhibits and educational programs
