First up, the White Sands Missile Range Museum. It was established in 1999 and is comprised of a small building housing historical information about missiles and an outside park with missiles that have been tested at the missile range. Personally, I found the outside park the more interesting but it is in a state of disrepair, with many of the missiles damaged. The museum is actually located on the missile range so be prepared to hand over your Driver's License so they can run a security check on you before allowing you to proceed through the gate.

ISO 100, f/8, 1/640 at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 200, f/13, 1/125 at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in post as an HDR.

So what is a girl to do when she takes only one lens and the missile just does not fit into the frame and she is too tired to walk way back, especially when that would just add more stuff to the shot. Whine, whine. Nope, just take it diagonally corner to corner. Fits perfectly! Oh, that horizon thingie. Hmmm . . . try tilting your head. I am so busted with this shot! LOL

ISO 100, f/8, 1/640 at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

Then on to the New Mexico Museum of Space History. What a treat! Even if you have followed America's space program since its beginning you are sure to find new information, displays and actual pieces and parts of space exploration.

ISO 400, f/13, 1/640, -0.67EV at 70mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/14, 1/800, -0.67EV at 28mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

The first thing inside the building that got my attention was this timeline, only partially shown in the photo below. It gives a very good overview of the many players that have worked together over the years and the most significant events that led to our current space exploration. The badges, representing different organizations, are shown in the display case. Just amazing!

ISO 100, f/8, 1/4 (now why did I not up the ISO??), at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

After that it is just exhibit after exhibit with lots of explanations.

ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/80, -0.67EV at 28mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 1250, f/3.2, 1/40 at 40mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 800, f/8, 1/4, at 40mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

The photo below is of a system that is similar to those worn by Apollo astronauts on the moon. It weighs 70 pounds and could sustain an astronaut for up to seven hours on the lunar surface.