The Davidson Center for Space Exploration

It's an amazing place to visit...one of the few places where one can see actual flight hardware of the Apollo era. The last three flights of the Apollo program were cancelled due to funding cuts. One of the Saturn V launch vehicles from this tragic move on the part of Congress has rested in Huntsville, AL for very many years. Alas, it was left out in the weather to corrode and erode. Until last year that is. That is when the Davidson Center was completed and the Saturn V moved inside in the Rocket Roll. This tribute to our history and technology is now on display in wonderfully restored condition for all to enjoy. It would have been beyond words to allow it to continue to disintegrate.

Standing underneath this behemoth is humbling and awe inspiring. Lifting this baby off the pad was like launching a building. Recall how slowly the thing crawls away from the pad on launch. But it had to generate the power to go a quarter million miles to the moon.

Don't miss the equally incredible mural in the lobby of the Davidson Center. A close up and intimate encounter with the business end of Saturn V at launch, crafted masterfully by Paul Calle.

I would like to add the dimensions of the masterpiece, as reproduced, but honestly, I can't recall it, so taken was I by the effect and the excellent quality of the artwork. But it's probably a good 20-25 feet wide. A Saturn V of the art world.

There's so very much more to see at the space museum, and don't forget Space Camp. But as the newest addition, and the most amazing one, the Davidson Center owned my interest (for days after) and is well worth the visit.