Science Museum of Virginia Opens Orbit Space Exhibit
The permanent new exhibit brings interactive space and physics education to Richmond visitors.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Space
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The Science Museum of Virginia has launched a new permanent space exhibit titled Orbit. The installation, which features interactive stations focused on engineering and astronomy, is now open to the public.
Why it matters
The exhibit provides hands-on opportunities for visitors to explore complex scientific concepts through interactive technology. It serves as a permanent resource for space and physics education in the region.
The exhibit includes a spacecraft simulator for energy management and a gesture-controlled gravity manipulation tool. These interactive stations utilize specific physics and engineering parameters to engage users.
The players
Science Museum of Virginia
This is a state-funded cultural institution in Richmond dedicated to increasing literacy in science, technology, engineering, and math.
NewMarket Corporation
Headquartered in Richmond, this company is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of petroleum additives.
The details
Located on Level 0 outside The Dome, the exhibit allows guests to manage spacecraft life-support systems through a simulator. Visitors can also manipulate gravity and orbital trajectories using screen-based motion tracking technology.
Timeline
The Orbit space exhibit officially opened on October 30, 2026.
The museum operates Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Big Picture
The exhibit bridges the gap between public engagement and the TESS space telescope. The museum's upcoming second phase will introduce a model of the TESS space telescope to demonstrate current advancements in exoplanet research.
Visitors can access the new Orbit exhibit at no extra cost beyond standard museum admission. The planned second phase will offer additional educational displays, including an anechoic chamber and exhibits on rocket fuel technology.
The takeaway
The addition of this permanent space exhibit provides residents with a consistent venue to engage with complex aerospace engineering. Families and students can utilize these interactive tools to gain practical experience with physics and spacecraft operations.
Further reading
Learn more about local aerospace developments in the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsAdvance.
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