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.
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February 20, 2018How John Glenn Suited Up for SpaceStory
| Air and Space Photos
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn made history as the first American in orbit—a moment that changed history and reestablished the United States as a major force in the Space Race. Glenn's suit, specially designed and fitted just for him, helped make this achievement possible. The suit was adapted to act as life support, in case the Friendship 7 spacecraft malfunctioned.
Read moreFebruary 16, 2018Janet Bragg: How an Early Black Pilot Soared Above SetbacksStory
Janet Waterford Bragg was a pioneer female African American pilot whose leadership in black pilot organizations in the 1930s paved the way for other aviators.
Read moreFebruary 15, 2018Astronaut Victor Glover on the Challenges of NASA TrainingStory
What is it like to train as an astronaut? Victor Glover, part of NASA’s 2013 astronaut class, is one of the few who knows what it’s like to prepare for a journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Read moreFebruary 14, 2018Love is in the Air: Great Couples of Aerospace HistoryStory
Aerospace pioneers make all kinds of new discoveries during their careers—some even find that special someone along the way.
Read moreFebruary 13, 2018Shields up! Protecting the Enterprise From UV RaysStory
Shields up, Captain! Or in this case, shades down. Here's the unique way the Museum protects our model of the Star Trek Enterprise from light damage.
Read moreFebruary 09, 2018Remembering Columbia, Over Fifteen Years LaterStory
Over fifteen years after the Columbia tragedy, Michael D. Leinbach, Space Shuttle Launch Director, and Jonathan H. Ward, space historian, look back at the harrowing process of recovering the spacecraft.
Read moreFebruary 08, 2018AirSpace Ep.2: The Right Stuff Right NowStory
| AirSpace Podcast
The criteria to become an astronaut has evolved over the years, but it’s still one of the toughest jobs to land. 18,000 people applied to be a part of NASA’s most recent astronaut class and only 12 were selected. In this episode, we’ll explore how the right stuff has changed with the times and get a taste of what candidates go through to make the cut.
Read moreFebruary 07, 2018Astronaut Alvin Drew on the Final Days of DiscoveryStory
NASA Astronaut and USAF command pilot Alvin Drew shares his reflections on a lifetime of exploring the universe.
Read moreFebruary 06, 2018Space-X's Falcon Heavy Could Shake Up SpaceflightStory
Today’s launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket, designed and manufactured by Space-X, is what space history curator Tom Lassman describes as “next generation” rocketry, but with roots in the 1960s “Space Age” and technology that helped bring Apollo 11 to the Moon.
Read moreFebruary 05, 2018Going Beyond Hubble: The James Webb Space TelescopeStory
The James Webb Space Telescope, an infrared telescope set to launch in 2019, will see beyond what Hubble can show us: the first stars, galaxies, and black holes; comets, asteroids, and satellites; and more throughout our solar system and beyond.