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 1713

April 05, 2024 An Unparalleled Vantage Point: The USS Los Angeles and the 1925 Solar Eclipse Story

On January 25, 1925, J.H. Klein Jr., the commander of the airship USS Los Angeles, described an incredible sight he had witnessed to the Boston Globe.  He described his experience and stated it was, "A most spectacular sight. The sky at the horizon was a flood of merging orange and red light. Overhead the ceiling was blue-black, while all about was the darkness of twilight.” This incredible event occurred during the 1925 solar eclipse off the coast of New York City, and scientists and crew aboard the USS Los Angeles had a front row seat to the beauty and splendor of the occurrence.

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April 04, 2024 Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford Story

Born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to a dentist and a former schoolteacher on September 17, 1930, Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford (USAF) grew up under the first transcontinental airline route. As a child, he would watch silver DC-3s streak across the sky and think “I want to do that.”

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March 29, 2024 Pick A Card: Interpreting the 1929 Women’s Air Derby with Trading Cards Story

The Museum’s Explainers—a cohort of high school and college student interpreters—are working together to create an original set of “trading cards” featuring images of the 1929 Women’s Air Derby contestants and details about their participation. The Explainers hope to inspire genuine, lasting personal connections with the rich, but often unsung, history of women’s active participation in aviation and space.

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March 27, 2024 Military Women Become Astronauts Story

Something was different about the class of astronaut candidates introduced in January 1990. Eighteen men and five women emerged from almost 2,500 applicants as Astronaut Group 13; seven were pilots and 16 were mission specialists. That was not unusual. The difference was that three of the women were military officers.

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March 26, 2024 A Mustang at 22 Degrees: Hanging an Iconic Fighter Story

The Museum's Preservation and Restoration Unit recently prepared the P-51D Mustang for display in the new and upcoming Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air gallery. The Mustang needed to suspended dynamically from the ceiling as if it were in flight.

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March 20, 2024 To Boldly Restore the USS Enterprise Studio Model Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Take a closer looks at details on the Star Trek starship Enterprise studio model from the original series, and learn more about the conservation process.  

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March 20, 2024 A Polka-Dotted Sky Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Every year, a valley in New Mexico becomes the launching ground for the largest hot air balloon event in the world. 

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March 20, 2024 My Own Personal Spacesuit Story | Air & Space Quarterly

When it comes to choosing a do-it-yourself project, Adam Savage doesn’t go for the easy stuff—he builds his own spacesuit.

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March 20, 2024 Lost and Found? Story | Air & Space Quarterly

What’s new in aviation and space. The latest on the search for Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra

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March 20, 2024 Smithsonian In Your Backyard - World War II Aircraft Story | Air & Space Quarterly

Where to see rare and even one-of-a-kind World War II airplanes. Many are closer than you think.

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