Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 2
Smithsonian Starstruck Debuts 40-Minute VR Space Tour in Washington as Tickets Run $29-$35
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 2

Smithsonian Starstruck Debuts 40-Minute VR Space Tour in Washington as Tickets Run $29-$35

2 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 2

Summary

  • Washington visitors can now take a 40-minute virtual astronomy walk-through that launched in May, carrying users from the Sun’s neighborhood to the Milky Way’s central black hole and an exoplanet 41 light-years away.
  • Tickets currently range from $29 to $35 for solo adults, while groups of four or more start at $18 each, with all prices now discounted 15%.
  • HTC Vive Focus 3 headsets power the DC installation, though the review noted noticeable blur during head movement; newer Vive Focus Vision units are planned for other cities and later for Washington.
  • Denver, Orlando and San Antonio are next on the rollout, extending a Smithsonian-backed effort to package astronomy education as an immersive VR attraction.

Insights

Is the Smithsonian's VR space journey a revolutionary learning tool or just a high-tech theme park ride?
As the Smithsonian enters the paid VR market, is it advancing its mission or pricing public knowledge?