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 41 - 50 of 103

July 11, 2019 Ground Control to Major Tom: The Apollo Playlist Part 1 Story | Apollo 50

On July 11, 1969 – only 5 days before Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin set out on their journey to the Moon – a relatively unknown British musician named David Bowie released a single titled Space Oddity.

Read more
July 09, 2019 Support at Predawn: The NASA Art Program and James Dean Story | Apollo 50

The NASA Art Program played an important role in representing the excitement and public interest in early spaceflight missions like Apollo 11. As we look back at key moments from the historic missions, we do so not only through photographs and oral histories, but through the eyes of artists as well. 

Read more
March 22, 2019 "A Fog-Filled Canal on Mars" Story

In this guest blog post, Chesley Bonestell expert Melvin Schuetz reflects on the Bonestell artwork "A Fog-Filled Canal on Mars."

Read more
March 20, 2019 Decades of Inspiration from Chesley Bonestell Story

This guest blog post by space artist Ron Miller explores the impact illustrator Chesley Bonestell had on his life, and recounts 50 years of telling Bonestell's story.

Read more
June 06, 2018 Using Science to Solve an Object Mystery Story

Conservationist and decorate art historians help solve a mystery behind two balloon-themed chairs in our Museum's collection. 

Read more
May 31, 2018 Remembering Astronaut and Artist Alan Bean Story

We remember Alan L.  Bean, the fourth man to walk on the Moon and the only artist to have visited the Moon.

Read more
April 01, 2018 Smithsonian Eyes Reboot for Classic Skate the Universe Story

As the Museum prepares for its upcoming transformation, the Smithsonian is eyeing a remake of its iconic film Scott Hamilton Skates the Universe.

Read more
January 29, 2018 Photographing an Airport in Transition Story

Airports are transitional spaces, serving the Earth and the sky, a zone where both humans and technology are intertwined. Since 2007, Athenian-born photographer Alexandros Lambrovassilis has been photographing the transition occurring at Ellinikon International Airport, the international airport in Athens, Greece that closed in 2001.

Read more
December 16, 2017 Happy Birthday, Sir Arthur C. Clarke Story

Today would have been visionary science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s 100th birthday (1917-2008). In the many decades since his first writings, his renown and influence still reverberate, motivating a range of contemporary thinkers.

Read more
November 07, 2017 The Meaning of Mission Patches Story | ISS Science

When you think of an astronaut’s job description, art design may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, the astronaut crews on each mission are in charge of designing their team's mission patch. 

Read more