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Looking at Earth explores the technology of aerial and space observation and its many uses. The gallery displays aircraft and spacecraft and examples of the photographic and imaging devices used on them. Throughout the exhibition are countless images taken from above. Some are historic; others show scientific, military, or civil applications; others are simply beautiful. All allow us to examine the familiar from unfamiliar perspectives.

Highlights include a de Havilland DH-4, a World War I aircraft used for aerial observation and photography; a Lockheed U-2, designed for Cold War aerial surveillance; personal objects of Soviet-captured U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers; and several generations of weather satellites. A "What's New" section displays frequently updated images of current interest taken of our planet from space.

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Location in Museum

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Gallery 110
Map of the first floor of the National Air and Space Museum's Washington, D.C., building, highlighting in yellow the Looking at Earth gallery on the south side of the building, two rooms east of center
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