Museum of Science Fiction teleports into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Museum of Science Fiction is to open its first public exhibition: The Future of Travel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Terminal C, Baggage Claim Level today. The four-month exhibition, part of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Arts Program, features a large-scale Orion III spaceplace from 2001: A Space Odyssey built by BP Taylor and retro-futuristic travel posters by artist Steve Thomas.

“We are pleased to present this groundbreaking exhibition, which shows a future that the commercial spaceflight industry is working to make a reality,” commented Paul Stimers, a member of the Museum’s Board of Advisors.

In addition to the physical exhibition, airport visitors and people outside of the Washington area will be able to tour the Future of Travel via the Museum’s new mobile app developed by Museum CIO, Alexandre Carvalho.

The app features a companion guide that will provide visitors with exhibition information, an interstellar passport, and their own boarding pass to the future. The app has an Expedia-style Plan-Your-Visit section to selected destinations: the Moon, Alpha Centauri, or Mars to generate a simulated interstellar passport and boarding pass that can be emailed to the traveler – Climb Olympus Mons! Hike the Mars Rover trails! Stay in floating hotels! Remember your sunscreen! Travel to the Moon – Best view of the Earth! Visit the first moon landing monument!

“Today, space tourism is seen as something reserved only for the super rich,” said Katherine Kidwell, Museum Associate Curator and Director of Exhibit Planning and Design. “But the day is approaching when passengers will be able to take a flight to the moon, Mars, or beyond just as easily as they would board a plane today. This exhibition will give travelers a playful and informative view of what it may be like when that day arrives.”