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 61 - 70 of 175

July 24, 2019 Remembering Chris Kraft: Pioneer of Mission Control Story

Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr. is an appropriate name for a pioneering space explorer. Kraft did not explore space himself, but he made it possible for American astronauts to do so, from Mercury to the Space Shuttle. He was the primary inventor of the mission control concept, and implemented it during Project Mercury and after, including training a cadre of controllers and creating a worldwide tracking network.

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July 23, 2019 Neil Armstrong and the X-15 Story | Apollo 50

Before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon and before he flew on Gemini 8, he was a NASA test pilot. Noted for his engineering excellence and technical capability as a pilot, Armstrong became one of only 12 pilots to fly the ultimate experimental aircraft – the North American X-15.

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July 22, 2019 Apollo Playlist Part 2: Music Inside Apollo, Musical Critique from Outside Apollo Story | Apollo 50

In this blog celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, we explore how the astronauts listened to music during the mission, what was on their playlists, and musical critiques of the Apollo program.

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July 22, 2019 Innovation That Echoes for Eternity Story | Apollo 50

In this guest blog from Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Roy Avezedo reflects on Raytheon's role in the Apollo 11 mission and what comes next.

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July 20, 2019 Apollo Memorabilia: Command Module Handbag Story | Apollo 50

As the Museum celebrates the anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, we also celebrate some of the unique pieces of memorabilia created to mark that human achievement. In addition to the pins, patches, buttons, medals, matchbooks, sweatshirts, and commemorative plates the Smithsonian holds in the national collection, this unique ladies handbag is one of my favorites.

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July 19, 2019 Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 Close Call Story | Apollo 50

In this guest blog from Smithsonian Channel, we share the story of Neil Armstrong's Lunar Landing Research Vehicle crash in May 1968.

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July 18, 2019 Print Your Own (Version of a) Lunar Module Story

Print your own version of the lunar module tactile model on display in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.

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July 17, 2019 "One Small Step for Man" or "a Man"? Story | Apollo 50

Spacesuit curator Cathleen Lewis explains Neil Armstrong's quote appears the way it does in the case of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit.

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July 17, 2019 "We Choose to Go to the Moon" and Other Apollo Speeches Story | Apollo 50

We take a look at the famous speeches that led to the first Moon landing, and one that thankfully never had to be delivered.

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July 16, 2019 Conserving a Wearable Legacy Story | Apollo 50

Before returning Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 spacesuit to display in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, it underwent extensive conservation and a state-of-the-art display case and mannequin was designed to protect it while on display.

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