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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.

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Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

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

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space shuttle launch

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Women in Aviation and Space Family Day

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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.

Explorer II Balloon Launch

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  2. Multimedia Gallery
  3. Explorer II Balloon Launch
  • A black and white photograph of a balloon inflating above the trees.
    Download Image

    The very first photo from the sky was taken in 1858 by a French photographer in a hot air balloon. Cameras can be used by a person in a hot air balloons basket or attached to different types of balloons that don't carry people, like this Explorer II that flew very high in 1935 to study Earth's atmosphere. 

  • A black and white photograph of a balloon inflating above the trees.

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

Admission is always free.
Open daily 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum 650 Jefferson Drive SW
Washington, DC

202-633-2214

Free Timed-Entry Passes Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

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