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 21 - 30 of 43

A photo of an aurora over Scotland taken by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik aboard the International Space Station.

December 04, 2017

Photos from the ISS

Story | ISS Science

Did you know that some of the coolest photos of Earth from space were not actually taken by satellites? Many were taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In fact, part of the astronaut training program focuses on how to take photos in space.

Astronauts with floating fruit and bags of food

November 24, 2017

What's on the Menu? Recipes from the ISS

Story

After all the food has been cleared away, and the good dishes are set aside for the next holiday, a question still remains—what do you do with all your Thanksgiving leftovers? When faced with yet another turkey sandwich, take some inspiration from the creative culinary tastes of astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams exercising on a treadmill aboard the International Space Station, 2012.

November 21, 2017

Staying in Shape in Space

Story | ISS Science

Just like athletes everywhere, astronauts have to keep in shape both on Earth and in space. Due to the lack of gravity in space, astronauts experience a decrease in muscle mass and bone density. 

Astronaut in space.

November 14, 2017

Microgravity Science Experiments

Story | ISS Science

Just like you conduct experiments in your science class, astronauts do experiments while in space. The microgravity of space allows astronauts to carry out experiments that would not be possible in the gravity of Earth. There are more than 300 experiments currently happening aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

STS-130 EVA - International Space Station Cupola

October 23, 2017

Astronaut Lingo: What Is "Puffy Head Bird Legs?"

Story | ISS Science

Have you ever hung upside down for a little while? Remember how it felt to have all the blood rush to your head? When astronauts get to space, they experience a very similar sensation, which they nickname "puffy head bird legs."

The International Space Station (ISS)

October 16, 2017

Astronaut Shares Challenges Faced in Space

Story

Italian Astronaut Paolo Nespoli talk to the STEM in 30 team about the different challenges he has faced in space during his time on the International Space Station.

STS-130 EVA - International Space Station Cupola

October 03, 2017

How Extreme Temperatures Affect Spacewalks

Story | ISS Science

In the latest episode of ISS Science, Astronaut Randy Bresnik explains some of the challenges astronauts face during spacewalks including extreme temperatures. Then, we stimulate the effects of extreme temperatures on metals here on Earth.

The International Space Station (ISS)

September 26, 2017

The Challenge of Communication in Space

Story | ISS Science

Communication is vitally important to astronauts while they are in space. Explore how experts communicate with the astronauts aboard the International Space Station in this week's STEM in 30.

Map of the United States showing the path of totality

August 15, 2017

Seeing the Solar Eclipse from Orbit

Story | ISS Science

On Monday, August 21, Astronaut Randy “Komrade” Bresnik will have an unbelievable view of the solar eclipse, set to pass across the United States. Bresnik will watch the solar eclipse from the International Space Station (ISS)—he should be in orbit over the U.S. at exactly the right moment. 

ISS with the Earth behind it.

July 28, 2017

How the World Explores Space Together

Story

You’ve probably heard of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), but have you heard of the Italian Space Agency or the European Space Agency? NASA works with these groups, among others, to explore the frontiers of space together. It wasn’t always this way; Russia and the United States both devoted countless resources to beating each other to space in the 1960s. But today, through shared missions and space stations, we work cooperatively to explore the final frontier.