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 181

F4 Phantom

June 21, 2022

Phantom Flyers: Aerial Victory over North Vietnam

Story

For the crews of US Navy Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31, the “Tomcatters”), June 21, 1972, was the last day of their first line period of sustained operations onboard the USS Saratoga before a scheduled week off. That day proved to be one of the most significant in the squadron’s history. Discover why.

Two objects sit on the desert surface of Mars: the parachute that helped the Perseverance rover land on the planet and a segment of the cone-shaped back shell that protected the rover during its fiery descent.

June 16, 2022

Summer 2022 - Up To Speed

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

What's new in aviation and space

Poster of a movie titled "Dirigible"

May 26, 2022

Before Top Gun, Hollywood Promoted Naval Aviation with Dirigible

Story

The original Top Gun features some of the most memorable naval aviation scenes in film history, due in large part to the cooperation of the U.S. Navy with the filming of the movie. Although some may presume this is the first time a major Hollywood film joined forces with U.S. naval aviation, that honor belongs to the 1931 film Dirigible.

US Air Force F-15C fighter jet over the Pacific

May 01, 2022

The Politics of Air Superiority

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Author Michael W. Hankins interview.

The USS America aircraft carrier at sea.

March 30, 2022

Life at Sea: The Thirty-Hour Day

Story

In a salute to the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier centennial anniversary, photographer Jim Preston reflects on his time on board USS America. He relives the 40 year old journey in this black and white photo essay.

Black and white grainy image of USS Langley

March 28, 2022

The 100th Anniversary of the USS Langley

Story

The USS Langley celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2022. Discover and explore the first US aircraft carrier through these historical photographs.

Astronaut standing on crocheted Moon holding Pride flag, with text next to it that says QueerSpace

March 24, 2022

QueerSpace: Becoming Light

Story | QueerSpace

Historically, queer-identifying people in the U.S. military have been forced out or forced to hide who they are. It wasn’t until 2011 that gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers could serve openly, and only in the last few years that trans servicemembers could serve at all. And while there’s still a ways to go, last year the Air Force and Space Force formed a working group specifically for LGBTQ+ issues.

Rear view of vintage World War II navy fighter

March 22, 2022

The Avenger

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Highlighting artifacts in storage. Grumman TBF-1 Avenger in Building 22 at Smithsonian Air and at Space Museum’s Paul E. Garber Facility in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland.

Man in military uniform in front of American flag

January 18, 2022

A Life of Dedicated Service: Remembering Brigadier General Charles McGee

Story

Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, the eldest of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, passed away on January 16, 2022. His life of dedicated service included flying combat aircraft in three major wars—a feat that was unthinkable before his career began, when the US military banned African Americans from combat flying roles.

Biplane approaching an aircraft carrier landing deck.

January 04, 2022

America’s First Aircraft Carrier

Story | Air & Space Quarterly

A century ago, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Langley—an ungainly new ship that would forever change military aviation.