Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history.
Learn how aviation and spaceflight transformed the world.
The lunar module represents one of humanity’s greatest achievements: landing people on another heavenly body.
Don’t miss our fast-paced webcasts designed to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in 30 minutes.
Apollo 11 was a global event. What did that historic mission mean to you? Share your story and read what others have to say.
Our scientists are involved in current research focused on the Martian climate and geology. Find out what we’re discovering.
Recognize your favorite air or space enthusiast. Add his or her name to the Museum’s Wall of Honor.
As a public health precaution, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the Museum in DC are temporarily closed. See our COVID-19 message.
Illustration of MARSIS Radar Sounder Instrument
The MARSIS radar sounder instrument on the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft is comprised of a 40 meter (about 131 feet) dipole antenna. MARSIS transmits long wavelength, low frequency radio waves that can penetrate certain geologic materials and are reflected back where the radio waves encounter a change in bulk density or composition. The radargram, a time delay rendering of the reflected radar pulses, shows a subsurface feature or reflector (upper pointing arrows) separated from the surface reflection (downward pointing arrows) in Meridiani Planum. The subsurface reflector is interpreted to be the base the Meridiani Planum deposits, about 1 kilometer (about 0.62 miles) beneath the surface.
ESA/NASA/JPL/KU/Smithsonian
