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  • National Air and Space Museum in DC
  • Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
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View of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tower at sunset

One museum, two locations

Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.

What's On

What's On

  • Events
  • Exhibitions
  • IMAX and Planetarium
Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

At the museum and online

Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually.

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Explore

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space shuttle launch

Dive deep into air and space

Browse our collections, stories, research, and on demand content.

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Learn

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  • Professional development
  • Education monthly theme
Women in Aviation and Space Family Day

For teachers and parents

Bring the Air and Space Museum to your learners, wherever you are.

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Bob Hoover Gives an Air Show Performance

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Your support will help fund exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts.

Rigid Airship in Construction

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Multimedia Gallery
  3. Rigid Airship In Construction
  • The framework of an airship. Half of the frame is covered in material.
    Download Image

    A rigid airship being constructed. In rigid airships, the gas was contained in separate bags inside a rigid frame that gave the aircraft its shape. Rigid airships are much larger than pressure airships and can carry many more passengers and heavier freight. The hydrogen gas that lifted rigid airships was housed in large bags inside an aluminum framework.

  • The framework of an airship. Half of the frame is covered in material.

ID#:

NASM-2000-1382

Credit:

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM 2000-1382)

Source:

National Air and Space Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Copyright/Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Usage conditions apply

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.

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National Air and Space Museum

6th St. and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560

202-633-2214

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Free Timed-Entry Passes
Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
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