All Stories

While Bessie Coleman never realized her dream of opening a flight school for African American pilots, her legacy as the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license has impacted and inspired flight students for decades.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has the world’s premier collection of aviation and space artifacts. Less well-known is that the museum also has an outstanding collection of aerospace models.

When a team accomplishes what, at times, seemed impossible, it becomes a victory for all—an entire city or country, or all humankind. We see this in milestones throughout aviation history, and we celebrate those shared victories throughout our Museum. And when a sports team brings a championship to a city that hasn’t seen one in 25 years, the whole city comes out to celebrate. 

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

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, has a new addition: Nemesis NXT, a record-breaking Sport-class air racer.

The National Air and Space Museum's She Can STEM Summer Camp will offer middle school girls from low-income households a glimpse at the exciting opportunities that aerospace has to offer.

Do you have what it takes to fly the friendly skies? Becoming a commercial pilot takes time, training, and dedication.

By today’s standards, sending a letter in the mail might seem a little antiquated. But 100 years ago, it was cutting edge communication.

Meet Jon and Patricia Sharp, the husband and wife duo behind Nemesis Air Racing. 

The personal papers of William J. Powell, an early African American aviation pioneer, highlight his career with the American Expeditionary Forces and his work to support African Americans in aviation.