The Museum of Science Fiction, coming to Washington DC in 2018, has announced its preliminary US$3m (€2.5m, £2m) mobile satellite facility will debut at the Arlington Gateway Park in Rosslyn, Virginia, in Q3 2016.

In its preview phase, the semi-permanent facility will act as an area to test concept exhibitions and offer a glimpse into the process of building the final full-scale facility.

“During our international architectural design competition, several concepts were submitted which featured shipping containers,” said the museum in a statement. “The museum's design team is looking at this approach for rapid market entry and quick-stop roadshows.”

Grunley Construction are contractors for the project, while Jerry Vanek is operating as lead architect. Architects Emily Yen and Hal Davis are also working on the project.

The 4,000sq ft (371sq m) Mobile Museum will debut with an outdoor science fiction film and lecture series. A special project webpage will be published this quarter to show planning activities.

Once the full facility opens in 2018, the Mobile Museum will tour the country, before being added as a permanent wing to the new facility.