The J.S. McDonnell Planetarium renovation took the unique approach of incorporating a star projection theater directly into the museum exhibit environment. This presented a significant challenge for the lighting design to fulfill the accent lighting needs of the exhibit displays, while accommodating the unique visual needs of a star projector.

The entry/ticketing zone features a scaled floor mural depicting the solar system where recessed lighting accents planets and other heavenly bodies.

The visitor travels from the entry level to the "space station" on an elevator imitating a shuttle journey. Once reaching the space station, visitors walk completely around a doughnut-ring mezzanine where accent lights and color filters deepen the celestial illusion. The black painted interior surface of the building's paraboloid formed skin is backdrop to suspended celestial models, revealed through UV-backlight projection and pinspots.

A new Zeiss star projector is featured beneath the hemispherical projection dome. A multi-color cove at its base creates a variety of horizon conditions while orientation light is provided around the star bay with an electroluminescent baseboard detail. When star shows commence, all lighting is automatically dimmed to minimal levels. On the main exhibit level, surface and suspended track provides flexibility in rendering recreations from life on a space station.

The J.S. McDonnell Planetarium is the only fully integrated star theater/exhibit gallery in the country.

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