Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired. 

Showing 171 - 180 of 1763

Underside view of space shuttle in flight with blue sky background.

September 20, 2023

Space Shuttle Astronauts Tell All

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

A new book by NASA astronaut Tom Jones shares intriguing stories about the agency’s longest-running space exploration program 

Multiple aircraft are on exhibit, including five suspended from the ceiling. Displayed on the floor is the Lockheed SR-71, viewed from the rear--the exhaust nozzles of the powerful jet engines in full view.

September 20, 2023

Museum of Dreams

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center turns 20.

Wearing a white blouse and a dark blue blazer, a woman stands below a single-wing (monoplane) airplane suspended from the ceiling. The airplane, which is painted in red, white, and blue, hangs inverted.

September 20, 2023

Aerobatic Pilot Patty Wagstaff Turned Her World Upside Down

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

When an aerobatic pilot wanted to fly right up to the limit, she chose an aircraft that proved to be a model of instability 

In this pastel drawing, 14 bluish white rays radiate out and upward from a dark half-moon shape flanked by trees. White stars are visible in the night sky.

September 20, 2023

These Depictions of Celestial Wonders Helped Make Astronomy Mainstream

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Before we had access to stunning photos of our galaxy from ground- and space-based telescopes, visionaries like  Étienne Trouvelot's captured celestial magic through their art 

A six-row ribbon. Each row has a few multi-colored ribbons. Next to the ribbon bar is a black-and-white  image of Yeager wearing a U.S. Air Force uniform--with the ribbon bar pinned on the left side.

September 20, 2023

What Chuck Yeager's Medals and Ribbons Tell Us About His Career

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

A ribbon bar in the Museum's collection offers a timeline of the famed aviator’s illustrious military career 

The lander is covered in thin, reflective material; the conservator is wearing black magnifying goggles.

September 20, 2023

This Object Represents a New Approach to Moon Exploration

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

The Peregrine test model is the first commercial lander in the Museum's collection 

The firetruck is a striking, bright lime green, with no visible markings.

September 20, 2023

First-Responder Rescue Truck From 9/11 Goes on Display at the National Air and Space Museum

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Foam 331's new display at the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center honors first responders 

Center section of V2 rocket is attached to a launch table in a restoration facility.

September 19, 2023

Restoring the Museum’s V-2 Missile

Story

One of the icons of the Museum was the black-and-white German V-2 ballistic missile. Ever since the building opened in July 1976, it stood in Space Hall, which in 1997 was revised to become Space Race. That rocket will return in a new guise, with green camouflage paint, when the hall reopens in a few years as RTX Living in the Space Age.

Danny Olivas

September 14, 2023

Space Boots and Cowboy Boots: Astronaut Danny Olivas

Story

John D. “Danny” Olivas grew up in the border city of El Paso, Texas, across the Rio Grande from Mexico. Its population is now 81% Hispanic, the largest Hispanic population of any major city within the United States. Olivas and his extended family have been part of that vibrant community since his great-grandfather migrated from Mexico in 1894.

AirSpace, a podcast, logo

September 13, 2023

AirSpace Revisited: It's a Barbie World and We're All Living in It

Story | AirSpace Podcast

We’re extending our Hot Barbie Summer by looking back on this gem from season seven.