Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center

Journey to the stars with The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center. Go back to the days of Apollo and flash forward to the next major journey of human spaceflight as we approach Mars. It offers a fun, interactive learning environment for guests of all ages. The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center is the region’s first and only dedicated space, science and technology center. It is an interactive, museum-quality destination that advances space-based science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) in the exciting context of space exploration, development, and utilization.

This world headquarters also features a public Discovery Center with two main areas – the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere. The Space Foundation’s El Pomar Space Gallery offers hands-on, life-size space experiences that are fun for guests of all ages. Young children can sit in a real Apollo command module, touch a moon rock and try on a spacesuit. Older kids and adults can also learn about the science of spaceflight in the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere – a room-sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to show planetary images on a six-foot spherical screen. The gallery also features changing exhibitions on various space topics.

In addition to the public Discovery Center, The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center has multiple event venues and meeting rooms that offer views of Pikes Peak, the Rocky Mountains, and downtown Colorado Springs. They’ve had important meetings, wedding receptions, military promotion and retirement celebrations, birthday parties, dances, a bar mitzvah, beer festivals, and more held in various meeting rooms and venues. The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center is also home to the Heroes Celebration, which honors military, veterans, first responders, and their families; and the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the space industry’s highest honor.

The place is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free for active-duty military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families up to four people per family. Admission fee for all other guests differs for adults and youth ages 4-17, while for children ages 3 and under it is free and it’s also different for seniors ages 65+. Members of the Space Foundation receive free admission. The Space Foundation offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year for both kids and adults. These events are designed to educate and inspire participants about the importance of space exploration and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) principles. The Space Foundation offers many different types of events throughout the year including classes and workshops, music and dance performances, poetry readings, sports, and outdoor activities, theater productions, and films.

The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center is proud to offer a variety of events and activities throughout the year that are designed to educate, inspire and entertain guests of all ages including classes and workshops, music and dance performances, poetry readings, sports, and outdoor activities, theater productions, and films. Whether you are interested in learning about the science of spaceflight, attending a music or dance performance, or just want to enjoy a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains, The Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center have something for you. They also have a variety of amenities available for their guests including a cafe, gift shop, and outdoor patio with a fire pit.

Furthermore, it is fully ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. All public spaces are on the ground floor, which is flat, save for a couple of very gentle ramps around the largest exhibit, SpaceLab. There is one wheelchair, which can also be checked out by guests for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Working service animals are welcome. The Museum Docents are happy to do custom tours and can give audio descriptive tours where they explain and describe the artifacts and exhibits. The Discovery Center is located at 4425 Arrowswest Drive in Colorado Springs, El Paso County just off Exit 153 on Interstate 25 and parking is free. Only five minutes from Garden of the Gods park, your visit to the Discovery Center is one that the entire family is sure to remember.