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    • Balloons first floated people up into the sky in 1783 in France. They were one of the first ways humans took to the skies.
    Aviation
  • Aviation
  • Aircraft
  • Balloons
  • Airships
  • Ultralights
  • Helicopters
  • Vertical flight
  • General aviation
  • Commercial aviation
  • Sports aviation
  • Military aviation
  • Early flight
  • Interwar aviation
    • Spaceflight
  • Spaceflight
  • Spacecraft
  • Human spaceflight
  • Mercury program
  • Gemini program
  • Apollo program
  • Space stations
  • Space Shuttle program
  • Commercial spaceflight
  • Uncrewed spaceflight
  • Artemis program
    • Astronomy
  • Astronomy
  • Telescopes
  • Stars
  • Sun
  • Solar System
  • Moon (Earth)
  • Small solar system bodies
  • Dwarf planets
  • Exoplanets
    • Behind the scenes
  • Behind the scenes
    • People
  • People
  • African American or Black people
  • Asian American or Asian people
  • Latino people
  • LGBTQ+ people
  • Native American or Indigenous peoples
  • Pacific Islander people
  • People with disabilities
  • Women
    • Records and Firsts
  • Records and Firsts
    • Science
  • Science
  • Life sciences
  • Physical science
    • Society and Culture
  • Society and Culture
  • Art
  • Science fiction
    • Technology and Engineering
  • Technology and Engineering
  • Navigation
  • Reconnaissance
  • Satellites
  • Robotics
  • Drones
  • Rockets
  • Missiles
    • War and Conflict
  • War and Conflict
  • Weapons
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Cold War
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • Gulf War
  • Iraq War
  • Afghanistan War

    • Balloons first floated people up into the sky in 1783 in France. They were one of the first ways humans took to the skies.
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    • Stories See all Stories
    A Polka-Dotted Sky March 20, 2024 AirSpace Season 8, Episode 5: Don't Rain on My Parade November 15, 2023 The Beginnings and Basics of Aerial Photography June 21, 2023 The Man Who Fell to Earth June 17, 2023 AirSpace Season 7, Episode 8: Flying Circus March 23, 2023
    Exhibitions See all Exhibitions
    Learn more Thomas W. Haas We All Fly National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Learn more Clouds in a Bag Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
    Learning Resources See all Learning Resources
    Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish A mix of activities from experiments to writing activities. Expand learning on concepts connected to the Wright Brothers and Early Flight. These activities connect to standards of learning. https://s.si.edu/WrightBrothersPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aircraft, Balloons, Aviation, Early flight, People, Records and Firsts

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         Flights of Fancy Story Time: "The Incredible Balloon Flight to Dizzying Heights" National Air and Space Museum. Museum educator Ann Caspari will read the original story The Incredible Balloon Flight to Dizzying Heights. https://youtu.be/BcekIlHC-C4 Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 Balloons, People, Science

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         STEM in 30: A Sky Full of Color: Live from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Join STEM in 30 as we explore the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and bring you the history of balloons, the science behind hot-air and gas balloons, and the pageantry of the Fiesta. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk51Ne-b3Y Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 8 Balloons

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         What’s New in Aerospace: Nation Wide Balloon Launch Update Teacher Trevor MacDuff, students Audrey and Jack, and KMBC9 Meteorologist Neville Miller discuss their balloon launch and what students can learn from a launch. https://youtu.be/QAXpxif3Jdc Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16, Grades 17-20 Balloons, Physical science

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         Air and Space Live Chat: Master Hot Air Balloon Pilot Bill Costen They may seem low-tech but balloons are important to aviation and space. This live chat features pioneering Black hot air balloon pilot Bill Costen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1860PeSUzKM African American or Black people, Balloons

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         Air and Space Live Chat: Student Balloon Launch: Medium Altitude Balloons Along with the help of teachers from across the country, the Museum launched medium altitude balloons that could potentially travel around the globe. Learn more about these balloons here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WC4nxlrZ2Y Balloons

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    Publications See all Publications
    Learn more The Eagle Aloft: Two Centuries of the Balloon in America Learn more Lighter Than Air: An Illustrated History of Balloons and Airships
    Explore other subtopics Aircraft Commercial aviation Sports aviation Military aviation Vertical flight Helicopters General aviation Balloons Early flight Airships Ultralights Interwar aviation