USS Enterprise off to dry dock for 2016

Big news from the Smithsonian, Star Trek fans - the 11-foot studio model of the Starship Enterprise has been removed from its display near the gift shop at the National Air and Space Museum. But take heart! The Enterprise will be back, better than ever. It's being taken out for conservation and restoration, after which it will move to its new display location at the new Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, opening in July 2016 - just in time for the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek! 

The filming model has been on display since 1974, and has had some degree of restoration on three previous occasions. The museum emphasizes conservation and preservation over restoration, placing care on preserving original materials and the artifact's physical history. 

The Enterprise will be receiving plenty of TLC at the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, where no TV model has gone before!

All part of the excitement of 2016, as the world celebrates Star Trek's 50th!