The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has received over $11 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation to support the creation of the new “Discovering Our Universe” exhibition. The gallery will illuminate how the development of new and more precise tools transformed humankind’s understanding of the origin, content, and fate of the universe. The “National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe” exhibition, which is anticipated to open in 2026, is part of the museum’s ongoing transformation of its galleries at its flagship building in Washington, D.C.

This fall, the National Air and Space Museum’s evening lectures will explore the stories of women and people of color in aviation and spaceflight, from NASA’s first female astronauts to the desegregation of commercial aviation. Lectures take place at one of the museum’s two locations and will also be streamed online. All lectures are free to the public, but they require advance registration.

El Museo Nacional del Aire y el Espacio de la Smithsonian ha publicado «AeroEspacial», una serie limitada de su pódcast «AirSpace» que se centra en relatos de la historia y cultura latina en el centro de la aviación y el espacio. 

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has launched “AeroEspacial,” a limited series of its “AirSpace” podcast that focuses on stories of Latino history and culture at the heart of aviation and space. 

The Smithsonian has chosen the architectural firm Perkins&Will to design the Bezos Learning Center, which will be located on the east side of the National Air and Space Museum at its flagship location on the National Mall.

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will host its annual “Innovations in Flight Outdoor Aviation Display,” Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able to view over 50 vintage, modern and commercial aircraft that will fly in for the day and be on display outside the museum.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum awards its Michael Collins Trophy annually for Lifetime and Current Achievements in aerospace science and technology. The 2023 recipients are Bill Anders for Lifetime Achievement and the James Webb Space Telescope Team for Current Achievement; they will receive their awards at a ceremony March 23 at the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has received $1 million from the Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation in support of the new “Destination Moon” exhibition. The gift will contribute to the safe preservation and display of the F-1 rocket engine. The redesign of the exhibition is part of the museum’s ongoing transformation of all its galleries in the flagship building in Washington, D.C.; “Destination Moon” reopened Oct. 14.