Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission

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Beneath the waves, a secret mission changed history.

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is a traveling exhibition that dives deeper than ever before—into the covert military operation behind one of the most significant maritime discoveries of the 20th century.

In 1985, oceanographer and naval officer Dr. Robert Ballard was enlisted by the U.S. Navy to carry out a classified mission: locate two sunken Cold War nuclear submarines. To mask the operation, he claimed to be searching for the RMS Titanic. The unexpected twist? He found it.

Step into a cinematic, immersive experience that follows Ballard’s high-stakes race against time. Featuring rare objects from both the Titanic and the original expedition, newly declassified footage, and first-hand accounts, this exhibition reveals how espionage, innovation, and deep-sea science converged to uncover a lost legend.

Secrets of the Search: Finding Titanic

Enter the mission:
Step into a Cold War-era operation where the stakes were as high as the pressure on the ocean floor.

Explore objects and tech:
See real equipment used during the expedition, including cameras, robotics, and Ballard’s gear.

Feel the tension:
Relive the final days of the search and the thrilling moment of discovery.

Dive into history:
Experience never-before-seen footage captured during the discovery—and learn why the Titanic was left undisturbed.

Look to the future:
Discover how this mission inspired a new wave of ocean exploration and sparked a global legacy.

The Mission. The Myth. The Discovery.

Partners

Presenting Partner:
Sponsors:

Produced By

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with Ocean Exploration Trust and generously sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Finding Titanic Prospectus
Finding Titanic Prospectus
Specifications
  • Scalable Design
    6,000 sq ft (560 ㎡)
    Scalable +/- 1,000 sq ft (95 ㎡)
    Adaptable floor plans available
  • Ceiling Height
    10 ft (3 m)
  • Production
    Ten (10) days for installation
    Seven (7) for deinstallation
  • Freight
    Two (2) 53 ft trailers +
    one (1) climate-controlled trailer by land
    Four (4) 40 ft HC containers +
    one (1)40 ft climate-controlled container by sea
  • Languages
    American English
    Latin American Spanish
Tour Availability

Inquire for availability

Reserve Now
Finding Titanic Prospectus
Finding Titanic Prospectus
Produced By

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with Ocean Exploration Trust and generously sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Gallery

Bow of the TITANIC.Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission at Peoria Riverfront MuseumA group of children and an adult stand in front of an educational display labeled "Mapa oculto," examining maps and reading information about Bob Ballard and his Finding Titanic expedition.Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission at Peoria Riverfront MuseumDr. Robert Ballard points at a digital touchscreen display, surrounded by two children and another adult, all engaged with the interactive interface at the Finding Titanic touring exhibition.Dr. Robert Ballard stands next to a glass display case containing a blue astronaut jumpsuit in a museum setting, part of a touring exhibition.Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission at Peoria Riverfront MuseumA digital interactive exhibit at the traveling exhibition, Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission, displays geometric neon shapes and info panels with illuminated buttons below the screen, inspired by Bob Ballard finding the Titanic.A metal device displayed in a glass case with overhead lights and an informational plaque, set against a blue and yellow backdrop, is featured in the traveling exhibition "Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission.Exhibit display featuring technology information panels and a large white prototype above; several people view surrounding exhibits in a well-lit indoor museum space at the Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission touring exhibition.A group of children gather around a table with an interactive sandbox at a touring exhibition, using their hands to shape the sand and explore projected topographical features.Children surround and interact with an illuminated sandbox displaying colorful topographic elevation projections, reminiscent of the mapping technology used in Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission.Three people’s hands interact with a colorful, topographic sand table illuminated by projected light patterns at a touring exhibition.Several hands explore a 3D illuminated topographic map on a flat surface, with blue and purple lighting casting shadows—echoing the thrill of Bob Ballard finding the Titanic, as seen in the touring exhibition.Finding Titanic: The Secret MissionDr. Robert Ballard stands examining a tall illuminated panel covered with names in a museum, perhaps reflecting on Bob Ballard's discovery, much like visitors to the Finding Titanic exhibition.Glass panels list names of Titanic victims, with an illuminated sign reading, “Remembering the lives of those who perished aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912.” Part of the Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission touring exhibition.Hexagonal display case with illuminated panels lists names of Titanic passengers by class—first, second, and third—in a dimly lit exhibition space, echoing the spirit of discovery behind Bob Ballard finding the Titanic.
Photos courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust & the National Geographic Society Special Collections
NH 70305 courtesy of the Naval History & Heritage Command

Tour History and Itinerary

Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria, IL, USA
September 26, 2025
-
January 5, 2026
Kiewit Luminarium
Omaha, NE, USA
February 7, 2026
-
April 26, 2026
Exploration Place
Wichita, KS, USA
May 22, 2026
-
September 7, 2026
Da Vinci Science Center
Allentown, PA, USA
September 29, 2026
-
January 19, 2027
Charlotte, NC, USA
February 13, 2027
-
April 25, 2027
Flint, MI, USA
May 22, 2027
-
September 5, 2027

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