From the Early Years of the Space Race to the First Female Astronauts, “Quest for the Stars” Exhibits Track Seldom-Seen Efforts 

The “Quest for the Stars” exhibit is now open at the International Women’s Air & Space Museum.

The exposition allows visitors to experience the track and see the impact of the 1960’s Woman in Space Program. The little-known bunch, sometimes referred to as Mercury 13, were part of a private initiative to assess women to the same physiological screening standards as male astronaut candidates in the NASA Mercury Project. The group’s creation went on to provide fuel for lobbyists in their quest to include women in the astronaut flight program, an effort that bore fruit years after the group’s original 1959 founding. 

The Quest exhibit will include their efforts alongside a plethora of well-placed women during the golden age of space exploration, a fresh take on history as the museum looks to provide some new, interesting material for long-time visitors. Sara Fisher, executive director, said “Quest is the first step in the museum’s effort to update exhibits to enhance engagement, representation, and visual appeal while also providing greater accessibility.” 

Aside from the Woman in Space Program participants, the first Native American female aerospace engineer, Katherine Johnson, Annie Easley, and the 1978 NASA astronaut class with the first 6 female astronaut selections. In keeping with the enhanced presentation, the museum has enriched the exhibit with additional content online that can be accessed to hear their stories in their own words wherever possible. 

FMI: www.iwasm.org