You may be familiar with the story of the first flight or the first person to step on the moon, but in the worlds of aviation and space, there are plenty of daring and brave individuals who have broken records or conquered a feat for the first time. Higher, faster, further; discover the story of records and firsts. 

You may be familiar with the story of the first flight or the first person to step on the moon, but in the worlds of aviation and space, there are plenty of daring and brave individuals who have broken records or conquered a feat for the first time. Higher, faster, further; discover the story of records and firsts. 

Jump to content:
  • Deep dives
  • |
  • Stories
  • |
  • Exhibitions
  • |
  • Learning Resources
  • |
  • Publications
  • Stories See all Stories
    Crossing the Country with James H. Banning February 24, 2023 Charles Bolden: Pilot, Astronaut, and NASA Administrator February 16, 2023 Cornelius Coffey: Aviator and Educator February 14, 2023 You Just Invented the Airplane, Now What? December 19, 2022 What Happened to the Original Wright Flyer? December 15, 2022
    Exhibitions See all Exhibitions
    Learn more The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC October 14, 2022 - October 14, 2037 Learn more Nation of Speed National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC October 14, 2022 - October 14, 2037
    Learning Resources See all Learning Resources
    My Path: I Love Building Things - Joe Wilding; Co-Founder of Boom Supersonic Joe Wilding was the co-founder of Boom Supersonic. Learn about his path; and the future of supersonic flight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdgRlBIfDD4 Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Aircraft, Aviation, Behind the scenes, Commercial aviation, People, Records and Firsts, Science, Technology and Engineering

    Student

    cc-by-nc

    My Path: Space Sushi with JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi was the first person to make sushi in space. Hear about this and what it is like to be a member of an international crew orbiting 250 miles above the earth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwOoIxrNN70 Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Asian American or Asian people, Behind the scenes, Human spaceflight, Life sciences, People, Records and Firsts, Science, Space, Space stations, Spacecraft, Technology and Engineering

    Student

    cc-by-nc

    My Path: Walter Watson - Flying on SR-71 Blackbird Walter Watson was the first and only African-American to qualify as a crewmember in the SR-71. Hear from this amazing aviator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Y1nl4K6Y0 Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 African American or Black people, Aircraft, Aviation, Behind the scenes, Military aviation, Modern military aviation, People, Reconnaissance, Records and Firsts, Technology and Engineering

    Student

    cc-by-nc

    Air and Space Live Chat: Pilot Panel with Shaesta Waiz and U2 Pilot Maj. Kristofer Duckett Interested in becoming a pilot? This discussion features pilots Shaesta Waiz and Maj. Kristofer W. Duckett sharing their journeys and achievements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMG6CH97niE Aviation, Records and Firsts, Reconnaissance, Women

    Student

    cc-by-nc

    Air and Space Live Chat: American’s First Spacewalk In this edition museum curator Jennifer Levasseur; NASA chief historian Bill Barry; and astronaut Michael López-Alegría discuss the first American spacewalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axG4DXFlBIY Records and Firsts, Space, Human spaceflight

    Student

    cc-by-nc

    Air and Space Live Chat: The Wright Brothers In 1903 the Wright brothers developed and flew the first successful airplane. This chat features Tom Crouch; Wright brothers historian; and Keith Yourg; a relative of Orville and Wilbur Wright. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2tetlX7v6U Aviation, Records and Firsts, Early flight

    Teacher

    cc-by-nc

    Publications See all Publications
    Learn more The International Handbook of Aerospace Awards and Trophies