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 341 - 350 of 1761

AirSpace, a podcast, logo

June 23, 2022

AirSpace Season 6, Ep. 4: Electricity

Story | AirSpace Podcast

A decade ago it was pretty rare to see an all-electric car on the road. Now that you see them all. the. time. we wondered – what about electric vehicles in the *sky*? Several companies are working to overcome the challenges of all-electric flight, and it’ll likely be a long time before your commercial plane goes electric. But smaller, shorter-distance applications of all-electric air transport might be just around the corner. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Martine Rothblatt to learn how her company is working towards using electric helicopters to deliver the ultimate precious cargo -- transplantable human organs.

A restored IL-2 flies above the clouds, with a Soviet red star prominently painted on its side.

June 22, 2022

The Flying Tank

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

German forces pushing into the Soviet Union felt nearly invincible—until they met the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik.

An artist’s depiction of a future base on the surface of Mars shows two astronauts standing in front of cylindrical shelters and a rover.

June 22, 2022

Is There a Doctor in The House?

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Astronauts headed to Mars and beyond won’t be able to depend on Earth for a quick response in the event of a medical emergency.

Wright Cycle Co. Repair Claim Check

June 22, 2022

Before the Wrights Were Aviators

Story

Orville and Wilbur Wright weren't always pioneering aeronautical engineers.

F4 Phantom

June 21, 2022

Phantom Flyers: Aerial Victory over North Vietnam

Story

For the crews of US Navy Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31, the “Tomcatters”), June 21, 1972, was the last day of their first line period of sustained operations onboard the USS Saratoga before a scheduled week off. That day proved to be one of the most significant in the squadron’s history. Discover why.

Jeremy Kinney, Associate Director for Research and Curatorial, with the Nemesis NXT in the Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Smithsonian Air and at Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

June 21, 2022

The Nemesis Dynasty

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

After a shaky start, the Nemesis NXT air racer comes out on top. 

A 1/72 scale diorama depicts four models of Douglas World Cruisers at a refueling stop in Seward, Alaska. The bi-planes sit on water near a dock crowded with activity.

June 21, 2022

Some Assembly Required

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Aviation enthusiasts are scouring the country for the vintage airplane kits of their youth.

Wilbur and Orville Wright in Dayton, Ohio

June 20, 2022

Who Were the Wright Brothers?

Story

Learn about the two distinct minds that made up the dynamic Wright brothers team.

Seven Star Wars Stormtrooper costumes on a display platform.

June 17, 2022

Curator of a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Meet the woman who is entrusted with preserving the icons of the Star Wars universe.

An artistic rendering of the forthcoming RTX Living in the Space Age gallery depicts visitors looking at displays of space suits and a missile pit displaying the earlies rockets of the space age.

June 16, 2022

RTX Living in the Space Age

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

A new gallery shows how spaceflight transformed our relationship with technology.