As Coney Island continues to be reshaped under the mighty hammer of Thor, a familiar relic from its old theme park arrived in our nation's capital yesterday. The Astroland Star made its way down to Washington DC in preparation for the display it will have at The Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum inside the Udvar-Hazy Center come 2011. DCist got an early look yesterday at Curator Margaret Weitekamp and Exhibit Designer Rebekah Brokway measuring it right out of the box. more ›

Now that we're all caught up to speed on the past and present of the Astroland Rocket, The NY Times looks to the future of this symbol of old Coney Island. Much praise was given to the 71-foot-long, 12,000-pound rocket during the ceremony yesterday, and now the city says upon its return from temporary home Staten Island, it may be brought back to its Star Flyer (or Moon Rocket) days. When first opened, the rocket allowed 26 riders inside for a 3-minute simulated blastoff. One city official promised: “We’re looking into all the options for making it accessible to the public." In recent years it was untouchable, mounted atop Gregory & Paul’s food stands. more ›

The Astroland Rocket is as good a mascot as any for the disintegrating state of Coney Island. After questions about where it would be housed once Astroland was dismantled, it has finally found a new home. From our inbox:

In a ceremony at noon today, Carol Hill Albert, co-owner of Astroland, donated Astroland’s most famous icon, the 71 foot Astroland Rocket to the City of New York. Robert Lieber accepted the rocket on behalf of the City Economic Development Corp. more ›

Last month Coney Island ended a tumultuous year with news that the Astroland Rocket needed a home, and fast. Well, today it was carefully moved (video of the rocketship in flight after the jump), but no one seems to know what will happen next. A look at the Coney Island message board, and here's what we find out: the rocket weighs 14,000 lbs! Other than that, there's a hopeful comment amongst the photos and sentiments: "The fact that they took it down in one piece could be a good sign....Does anyone know if someone has taken it? Is it being sent off somewhere also in one piece?" more ›

Yesterday the alerts went out that Coney Island redevelopment's latest target, the Astroland Rocket, needed a home...and fast! The Coney Island History Project contacted us to say that they, along with Astroland staffers, "have been working feverishly for the past month to find a museum or other venue willing and able to take the rocket. Preferably in Coney Island, or at least Brooklyn...Several museums wanted it but had to decline due to lack of space or logistical issues. Several are still considering the offer." more ›

The Save Coney Island community is worried that the Astroland Rocket will be sold as scrap if the rocket remains homeless (Astroland is being dismantled). An email from the Save Coney Island Group, via Curbed: "Help us Save The Astroland Rocket!! We have to find a new location for the Astroland Rocket soon or it will be sold for scrap metal!! Astroland will pay to relocate the rocket if we find a space for it!! It has to be somewhere secure, where people can't vandalize it. Any ideas??" The city was reportedly in negotiations with developer Thor Equities about taking over the property, but it's unclear where those talks are. more ›