Exploring pop culture dimension of space flight

Margaret A. Weitekamp

Curator, Space History Division, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Best known for: As the "pop culture" curator at the National Air and Space Museum, Weitekamp oversees a collection of more than 4,200 pieces of space-related memorabilia. Her job is to explore the cultural and social dimensions of space flight, and through exhibits, Web sites, publications and lectures, show the public how space exploration is portrayed in the arts, books, movies, commerce and everyday American life.

Government service: Weitekamp came to the Air and Space Museum in 2004 from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she was an assistant professor.

Biggest challenge: Balancing continuing scholarship with exhibit responsibilities and outreach opportunities at the museum. "There's so much that I want to do and limited time to fit it all in!"

Quote: "I think about how to bring memorabilia into our exhibits that tell another part of the story. This is a part of the collection that is the most democratic at the museum. People can't wear a space suit or fly in a spacecraft, but many people have had a mission patch or a button or a T-shirt or objects from movies or television shows. These items tell us a story of how ordinary people have interacted with space flight."

- From the Partnership for Public Service

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