Made possible by Air Force Museum Foundation Donors
The Stargazer Gondola Story
On December 13, 1962, the Stargazer Gondola was launched from Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and climbed to 82,000 feet. Air Force Capt Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr. and Navy astronomer William C. White recorded many observations on the 18-1/2 hour flight. This lengthy flight would be the one and only voyage made by the Stargazer. The discoveries made by the explorers aboard the Stargazer and other vehicles like it helped pave the way for advancements in America’s space program.
The Stargazer Gondola has been on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force™ for decades. Over the years, the delicate vehicle suffered severe deterioration – it was literally falling apart.
However, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the Museum was able to hire experts to undertake the extensive task of conserving the Stargazer Gondola. You saved this priceless artifact from certain destruction!
The Stargazer Gondola, like many historical artifacts, was not designed to last. It was built for a maximum of two flights; it made just one. It was built with experimental materials including aluminized paper, plastics, adhesives, and tape, and over time, those materials broke down and deteriorated.
And the elements weren’t the only problem. The United States Air Force has only one conservator, who is responsible for a collection of approximately 133,000 artifacts and 2,900 aircraft. She faces an enormously difficult task in maintaining the integrity of each priceless item.
Time was running out for the Stargazer. The project was too big for one person to do it alone; the Museum knew it would take a team of specialists to save the Stargazer.
Donors Made It Possible
The Museum asked the Foundation to cover the cost of hiring a contractor to perform this extensive artifact conservation. When the Foundation asked you to support this project, you responded with a gift, and made this work possible!
Conservators from B.R. Howard Conservation performed extensive research to learn about the Stargazer Gondola and what it looked like when it flew its historic mission. They took samples to find the best replacements for materials that they could not repair. Over several weeks, the conservators thoroughly cleaned dirt and debris from the Stargazer, reshaped and polished hundreds of pieces of aluminum paper, and pieced together how the Stargazer’s battery bags were originally secured and reconnected them.
"In collections management, we are in the forever business," said Roberta Carothers, Chief of Collections Management at the Museum. "The treatment itself exceeded our expectations."
Without your support, the Stargazer would still be deteriorating. Instead, thanks to your generosity, the Stargazer Gondola and its legacy of exploration and innovation will remain on display for decades to come.
Credits:
Photo Credits: NMUSAF Photo