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 181

A multitude of stars packed together in a dense region of space, shining brightly in the surrounding darkness. A bright blue cloud in the lower half of the image with pitch black patches appearing within the cloud—areas which are so dense with matter that they block the light of distant stars.

December 20, 2023

Up To Speed

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

What’s new in aviation and space.

Detail of ornate sterling silver trophy sits featuring a gold lined silver cup with an angel arms extended holding a Wright military flyer.

December 20, 2023

Silver and Gold

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

The museum's ornate trophy recognizes valor displayed by the men and women of the U.S. Air Force.

Closeup of a large aircraft as it taxis on a runway.

November 15, 2023

Recollections of an Air Force Airfield Manager: Working with Civil Engineering

Story

Before Patrick Leonini was a museum specialist for the National Air and Space Museum in the Photography department, he spent 24 years in the United States Air Force. He reflects on his career experiences in the military as an airfield manager, working in and around aircraft, crews, and ground support personnel.

A group of 10 women wearing flight suits pose in front of a fighter jet.

November 07, 2023

Documenting Change: The Museum’s Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative

Story

In February 2019, the National Air and Space Museum launched the Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI) to record histories of some of the groundbreaking women who led incremental change in the military that resulted in women becoming fully vested (combat) military pilots.

A black and white photograph showing weapons in Cuba. Each location is labeled.

October 27, 2023

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Story

Discover the history of the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

In a blue-tinged black and white photo, an all-white aircraft flies over the ocean. An Inset photo shows an Israeli soldier stands in the foreground as artillery is launched.

September 20, 2023

Rescue Mission

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Fifty years ago, when the destruction of Israel appeared imminent, Operation Nickel grass helped turn the tide.

A six-row ribbon. Each row has a few multi-colored ribbons. Next to the ribbon bar is a black-and-white  image of Yeager wearing a U.S. Air Force uniform--with the ribbon bar pinned on the left side.

September 20, 2023

What Chuck Yeager's Medals and Ribbons Tell Us About His Career

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

A ribbon bar in the Museum's collection offers a timeline of the famed aviator’s illustrious military career 

A man in military uniform stands in a sandstorm.

July 25, 2023

Recollections of an Air Force Airfield Manager: While the Pilot Sleeps

Story

Before Patrick Leonini was a museum specialist for the National Air and Space Museum in the Photography department, he spent 24 years in the United States Air Force. He reflects on his career experiences in the military as an airfield manager, working in and around aircraft, crews, and ground support personnel.

A black and white picture of a plane with a 35 on the side. Two people are in the plane, one pilot and one holding a large camera.

June 23, 2023

Early Spies in the Skies

Story

During World War I, a new form of espionage took flight—literally. Photography from aircraft was introduced as a new way to spy.

Grainy image of an aircraft flying with a trail of contrails.

May 26, 2023

Northrop P-61 Black Widow: First American Airplane Designed and Built to Fight at Night, Part II

Story

On January 30, 1942, the Army Air Corps awarded Northrop a contract to build two XP-61 prototypes. Rediscover the Northrop P-61 Black Widow aircraft in part two of the blog series.