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 21 - 30 of 91

A mannequin wearing an orange spacesuit seated in a spacecraft.

November 14, 2022

5 Things On Board NASA's Artemis I Mission

Story

Although the Artemis I mission won’t have any astronauts riding along, there are other items on board to commemorate the occasion and conduct science to further the Artemis program and other research projects.

A large metal dome-like structure, as seen from underneath it, hangs from the ceiling. A mirror is used to create the illusion that there are four of these structures hanging.

November 02, 2022

A New View of the Rocketdyne F-1 Engine

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The Rocketdyne F-1 engines powered the first stage of the Saturn V rocket that launched the Apollo lunar missions. The Air and Space Museum’s redesigned F-1 installation offers a new perspective on the most powerful liquid-fuel rocket engine in U.S. history.

Color photograph of the top half of the golden colored lunar surface camera.

September 22, 2022

Calling Lovers of All Things Lunar

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Are you a lover of all things lunar? Here are three hidden gems from the Destination Moon exhibit you won’t want to miss.  

Purple and pink logo of AirSpace

July 14, 2022

AirSpace Season 6, Ep. 5: Sisters of the Moon

Story | AirSpace Podcast

It’s been nearly 50 years (!) since humans last walked on the Moon.  But NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions will soon return astronauts to the lunar surface. Artemis isn’t just about going back – it’s about science! So to answer all of our burning questions about what Artemis astronauts will do, where they will go, and what makes this all different from Apollo, we spoke to the Artemis science lead, Dr. Sarah Noble.

Stephanie Wilson stands with her arms folded, wearing a blue jacket with many space mission patches.

February 23, 2022

Stephanie D. Wilson: On Her Way to the Moon?

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Stephanie Wilson is now one of 18 members of the Artemis astronaut team, a group of nine men and nine women from diverse backgrounds. Since NASA has announced its intent to send the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon, she is a strong candidate.

Approximate locations of the Apollo moon landing sites

November 12, 2021

Ten Scientific Discoveries from the Apollo Missions

Story

The Apollo missions contributed more than putting humans on the Moon, it also produced a lot of new scientific data and discoveries which expanded our knowledge of both the Moon itself and our Solar System. Here are ten of our top Apollo discoveries.

Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

November 09, 2021

Why Did We Stop Going to the Moon?

Story

The Apollo program, which landed the first human on the Moon, ended in December 1972 with Apollo 17. Why did we stop? 

A photo of a framed photo of a family laying on the surface of the Moon.

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?

The Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle, in a landing configuration

November 05, 2021

How Do You Get to the Moon?

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

Rocket on launch pad

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.