Now On View

Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air will examine how the revolution in warfare that took place during the war redefined the promise and peril of military aviation, as well as explore the dramatic changes to flight and culture that continue to reverberate through society today.  

“America by Air” will emerge from the Museum’s multi-year transformation campaign refreshed with a new layout, improved graphics, interactives, and several new artifacts including the Lincoln-Standard H.S. and the Huff-Daland Duster. The exhibition will continue to trace the history of air transportation in the United States and explore how the federal government shaped the airline industry and how improvements in technology have revolutionized air travel, changing the flying experience.

Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit from the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing is back on display for the first time in 13 years.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon, while their colleague Michael Collins orbited overhead. This case, installed for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, contains artifacts from that historic journey

The invention of the balloon struck the men and women of the late 18th century like a thunderbolt. The objects in this exhibition provide a sense of the wonder and excitement experienced by those who witnessed the birth of flight over two centuries ago. 

This exhibition explores how revolutions in timekeeping over three centuries have influenced how we find our way.

Moving Beyond Earth traces the recent history of human spaceflight and explores future possibilities.

While the German Luftwaffe demonstrated early successes in the use of airpower during World War II, and spurred many technological advancements, faulty military strategy and mismanagement of aircraft development programs ultimately led to its downfall.

The concept of gliders propelled by small engines emerged in the 1920s, but didn't rise in popularity until the 1970s. The ultralights on display include Cosmos Phase II, which appeared in the movie Fly Away Home.

In the tense years of the Cold War, applications satellites evolved down two separate paths: one devoted to national security needs, the other to civilian interests.

The Human Spaceflight exhibition station illustrates one of the great achievements of the modern age as nations have developed the technology for human spaceflight.

Learn how rocketry got a boost in the 20th century, altering warfare and taking humans into space.