Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired. 

Showing 1 - 10 of 13

A portrait of astronaut Michael López-Alegría in a white space suit, holding his helmet under his left arm. The suit features various patches, including a NASA emblem, an American flag, and mission insignia. An American flag is visible in the background.

September 18, 2024

Michael López-Alegría - Spacewalking Astronaut

Story

Michael López-Alegría, also known as “L-A,” is one of America’s most experienced astronauts. He has completed six space missions so far and commanded three of them, spending 296 days (about 9 and a half months) in space. He shares the current United States record for spacewalks with 10 total. And he isn’t finished yet.

An astronaut holding a helmet in his hand and wearing a bright colored spacesuit smiles for a portrait.

October 13, 2023

Franklin Chang-Díaz: From Immigrant to Innovator

Story

As a physicist, engineer, entrepreneur, and astronaut, Franklin Chang-Díaz has made significant contributions to space exploration. Born in San José, Costa Rica, he developed a passion for science and space at an early age. He moved to the United States to continue his education and achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut and in 1980, NASA selected Chang-Díaz as an astronaut candidate, making him the first Latin American immigrant to become a NASA astronaut.

Danny Olivas

September 14, 2023

Space Boots and Cowboy Boots: Astronaut Danny Olivas

Story

John D. “Danny” Olivas grew up in the border city of El Paso, Texas, across the Rio Grande from Mexico. Its population is now 81% Hispanic, the largest Hispanic population of any major city within the United States. Olivas and his extended family have been part of that vibrant community since his great-grandfather migrated from Mexico in 1894.

AirSpace logo with other text on top so that it reads AeroEspacial

August 24, 2023

AeroEspacial: Making Space Bustelo | Haciendo Bustelo espacial

Story | AeroEspacial

In this episode of AeroEspacial, we're jumping into the past and present of Latino representation in the Star Wars universe.

 En este episodio de AeroEspacial, nos adentramos en el pasado y el presente de la representación latina en el universo de La Guerra de las galaxias.

AirSpace logo with other text on top so that it reads AeroEspacial

August 10, 2023

AeroEspacial: El Dorado of Possibilities | El Dorado de posibilidades

Story | AeroEspacial

For Latino Futurist artists, drawing on the past is key to creating futures that connect heritage, experience, and indigeneity to the present and future in constantly circling time.

Para los artistas futuristas latinos, recurrir al pasado es clave para crear futuros que conecten el legado, la experiencia y la indigenidad con el presente y el futuro en un constante círculo temporal.

AirSpace logo with other text on top so that it reads AeroEspacial

July 27, 2023

AeroEspacial: From Puerto Rico With Love | Desde Puerto Rico con amor

Story | AeroEspacial

The science done at Arecibo Observatory was and continues to be incredibly important, and having the observatory in Puerto Rico is a point of pride for locals.

a ciencia hecha en el Observatorio de Arecibo fue y continúa siendo increíblemente importante, y tener el Observatorio en Puerto Rico es un motivo de orgullo para los locales.

AirSpace logo with other text on top so that it reads AeroEspacial

July 13, 2023

AeroEspacial: The Second Star to the Right | La segunda estrella a la derecha

Story | AeroEspacial

In the early 1960s, thousands of unaccompanied children fled Cuba by plane, moving to the United States on  visa waivers from the U.S. government.

Son los principios de la década de 1960 en Cuba, miles de niños sin acompañante huyeron de Cuba en avión, mudándose a los Estados Unidos con exenciones de visa del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos. 

Five men stand in front of a monoplane with a two blade propeller. Background: a hanger made of corrugated metal and to the left of center is the number 3 inside a circle.  From left to right: first man in a suit jacket facing slightly to the right with a backwards cap. second man is wearing a backwards cap and does not wear a jacket and has his left hand in his pocket. The third man is on the other side of the propeller is wearing a cap and unbuttoned jacket.  The fifth man stands with his hands behind him

October 14, 2021

Early Mexican Aviators at the Moisant Aviation School

Story | From the Archives

On September 25, 1912, Alberto Salinas Carranza and Gustavo Salinas Camiña received their pilot licenses from the Aero Club of America. The Salinas cousins were the first of a group of five Mexican pilots sent by their government to the United States to study at the Moisant Aviation School at Hempstead, Long Island. The photographs and correspondence found in the collection of Shakir S. Jerwan, their “profesor,” provide a unique glimpse into the early history of Mexican aviation.

Mexican P-47 Thunderbolts fly over central Luzon in July 1945

September 03, 2020

Latin America in the Air War

Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

With the 75th anniversary of World War II commemorations nearing their end, it is worth reflecting on those participants whose stories are not always well told.

Major Marisol A. Chalas, the first Latina National Guard Black Hawk pilot.

October 04, 2018

Four History-Making Latinos You Should Know

Story

Since the earliest days of flight, Hispanic men and women have shaped aviation—breaking records, exploring the farthest reaches of our world, and shaping what’s possible in the aerospace field.