Space Station Museum

I had the most incredible experience here last Sunday at 2019 Novato Space Festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. It had to be one of the best events if not the best event that I have ever attended.

It offered unprecedented access to NASA Astronauts in an informal atmosphere.

I met and took photos with Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden (whose space suit is in the museum along with other memorabilia). I shared with him the story of how before the days of video tape, I was so young, I got my dad to buy me a tape recorder and recorded his mission to the moon via the TV broadcast. To which he responded: "I hate when people tell that stuff--you make me feel older than I am!" He was kidding around.

Other famous people there that I met: Space Shuttle Astronauts: Greg Johnson, Steve Smith, Dan Bursch, and Dr. Yvonne Cagel.

I had a longer conversation with Apollo Flight Controller Joey Lazzaro-- who was in Apollo Mission Control for all the years including 11, and 13. And NASA engineer Ed Rezac was there--he designed the equipment to fix the Hubble Telescope and brought with him the drill and equipment used to fix it.

Other NASA personnel were there and I got to see and touch a Rock from mars that came to earth as a meteorite many years ago, found on earth. NASA personnel talked to me about the challenges getting funding in Washington for the project of sending a spaceship to mars that will bring back rocks and samples without risking humans given the current tension between the USA and China and the President wanting to put a woman on the moon ASAP and directing funding there.

The Astronauts held a panel discussion and Q & A session that was incredible and I hope that the event producer, Mr. Ken Winans of Winans investments posts the professionally shot video for everyone to see.
I can't thank Mr. Winans enough for putting this free event together and mentioning it on his radio broadcast so I knew about it.

I toured the very small museum that has some interesting pieces you will not see anywhere else. If in the area with an hour or two extra, I would stop in. They also have some interesting Soviet space pieces.

You can get a great meal at the Nugget market next door before or after.

Really awesome place, especially if you are a fan of the Apollo Program that landed humans on the moon.

Favorite thing about this place is much of the stuff is actual flight hardware....it's been in space...and you can touch it. Most museums the stuff is in a plastic case.

While much of the material is Russian space hardware (the sell their stuff), there is still many things to see from America's space program.

The museum also puts on regular events, so they are worth keeping an eye on.

It's not a large place, but they have great memorabilia and equipment, some of which has seen space flight. You can even handle some of the items.

The youth volunteers are amazing -- it's heartening to see kids still passionate about the sciences. Thanks "EZ" and Jordan for an informative and fun experience!

It's not the largest museum ever, but it's free for entry and has an interesting array of artifacts and displays! I haven't yet been to one of their events, which include scientists and astronauts! I'm looking forward to that!

I'm always searching for new museums that I haven't been to-enter The Space Station Museum! Who would have thought that Novato had this cool little piece of NASA hiding in a shopping center! I was shcocked to find it and even more shocked to know that I have been missing the Novato Space Festival every year-where they have been hosting astronauts-even some from the Apollo missions! Where's the universal sign up sheet at?? So, I don't miss anymore of this kind of stuff! This may be a small museum but it is definitely not lacking! I was surprised to find an artifact from the Mercury Missions with some of my favorite astronauts autographs--get yourself here now! And come to my blog to see my full review and a lot more photos!

A lot of interesting items for such a small location. I was super impressed with how much the young gentlemen knew about everything inside here. Very knowledgeable & everyone was very polite. We'll definitely have to go again next time we're down that way!

Small but well taken care of and clearly run by passionate people! Also cool free swag like NASA stickers and rubber bracelets :)

This is a fantastic show of what it means to find a small way to bring our history to life wherever you live. There are displays with buttons and nobs and gloves you are allowed to touch and try on. And there are displays you can just observe and read more about. The surroundings inside such as the floor, signs and whatnot are sort of like a rough draft. But it makes for a more relaxed environment which is nice. There were Highschool students from San Marin helping provide information and run the register for the gift store. This is perfect for kids ages of about 7 to 105.

Got to meet astronauts and learn about NASA - with tons of exhibits that are fun for the whole family.

This is an amazing little treasure in our community! In the Pacheco Shopping center, you can do all the usual weekend tasks of shopping, dry-cleaning, a quick coffee...and then top it off with some science and history of America's space program. The volunteer staff of all ages are passionate advocates for their collection and will gladly engage with you and your family. There's lots of interesting artifacts to explore and a small collection of space and adventure related toys and games available for purchase. Add their page to your Facebook feed for all the best space-related news and stories. Special events at the Museum include a Christmas-time decoration of the lunar module model; a summer Space Festival and on nights of astronomical significance: an outdoor telescope with a helpful attendant providing you a guide to the skies. I'm never sure if the telescope is directly connected with the Space Station Museum, but together they take this little corner of Ignacio on journey to galaxies far, far away!