SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch sparks interest in sciences

CHANTILLY, Va. (ABC7) — On Tuesday, the Falcon Heavy blasted into space.

“I kept telling my kids, I said, ‘Remember this day. This is history,’” said Chase Spears, who brought his family out to the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly on Wednesday.

“In my lifetime, this is how I’ve known how to get into space,” said Emily Wankier, a volunteer docent, pointing to the space shuttle on display at the museum.

Wankier volunteers her time giving tours at the Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum. She says Tuesday’s SpaceX launch could spark a new generation of interest in science and space exploration.

“Kids are wanting to know what it’s like in space,” she said. “They want to see how people can live in space and how they can get into space.”

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“I’ve told my mom that I want to walk on a planet or the moon or something,” said Addyson Lee, who came to the museum with a group. She says she wants to be a scientist when she grows up.

A live stream of a Tesla in space is grabbing the attention of viewers across generations.

“I had that streaming until I went to bed last night. I couldn’t have enough of it,” Spears said of the video.

“There’s a car out in space. I’m not a big fan of that,” said Tommy O’Leary, who was visiting the museum on Wednesday.

Some visitors say they are excited to see what they’re calling the next era of space travel.

“You’re watching today’s history being made,” Spears said of the launch, “but today we’re actually getting to look back at what got us here.”