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 31 - 40 of 175

November 09, 2021 Memento Moon: Some of What We’ve Left Behind Story

Between 1969 and 1972, twelve astronauts successfully landed on the Moon and returned to Earth, bringing back with them lunar samples and scientific data, and, perhaps most importantly, a new understanding of what it meant to be human. But what did they leave behind?

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November 05, 2021 How Do You Get to the Moon? Story

President Kennedy's decision to land men on the Moon before 1970 required the quickest, most efficient method possible. Three landing schemes were proposed. 

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November 05, 2021 Building a Moon Rocket Story

President Kennedy's decision to land men on the Moon before 1970 required the quickest, most efficient method possible. At the center of the United States success was an integral component of landing men on the Moon: the Moon rocket.  

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November 05, 2021 A Soviet Moonshot: Interpreting the Diaries of Vasily Mishin Story

Despite the Soviet Union's initial lead in technological advances during the Cold War, it was the United States who was able to land the first person on the Moon in 1969. The diaries of rocket engineer Vasily Mishin shed some light on why the United States was able to catch up to the Soviet Union's early lead in space.

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August 12, 2021 AirSpace Bonus: Say My Name Again Story | AirSpace Podcast

We’re hard at work on Season 5 (launching this September!) but before then, we’re giving you a second bite at a topic we spent a long time thinking about this year: what’s in a name? Earlier this season we explored how planetary bodies and their geological features get named. We also recorded an explainer on how NASA names their spacecraft, but we just didn’t have time for it in the original episode. So, what do Snoopy, Spider, and Gumdrop have in common? Find out in this bonus episode!

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July 30, 2021 Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle: An Interview with Earl Swift Story | Air and Space Photos

Earl Swift sought out the full story of the LRV’s origins, development, and traverses  in his new book “Across the Airless Wilds.” In this interview, he tells us he believes the LRV changed everything about the Apollo program.

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July 26, 2021 A Rock with a Mischievous History Story

Every rock can tell us a story, once we know how to read it. The sample designated 15016 tells a story of how two visitors from another world happened to collect it.

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April 28, 2021 Remembering Michael Collins Story

We look back at the extraordinary life of pilot, astronaut, and statesman Michael Collins, who has died at the age of 90.

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April 28, 2021 Carrying the Fire Story

National Air and Space Museum acting director Christopher U. Browne reflects on the life and legacy of one of his predecessors, Apollo 11 astronaut and former Museum director Michael Collins.

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March 25, 2021 Remembering Glynn S. Lunney Story

Remembering the life and legacy of NASA flight director Glynn Lunney.

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