Balloon Science (E.Z. Science Episode 5)
From the earliest days of flight to today’s cutting-edge research, balloons play an important role in aerospace. In the latest episode of EZ Science, Dr. Ellen Stofan and Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen discuss how NASA uses balloon science to better understand our planet and universe.
ABOUT THE SERIES: In our #EZScience video series with NASA, Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan and NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen talk about the latest in planetary science and exploration.
What's New in Aerospace: The SR-71 Blackbird
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest jet-propelled aircraft, was at the pinnacle of aviation technology developments during the Cold War. On its last flight, the Blackbird on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center set a speed record by flying from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds, averaging 2,124 miles per hour. Join SR-71 navigator, Col. Walter Watson as he discusses the Blackbird, it's missions, and his role in the program.
Into America's Wild with Astronaut John Herrington and Pilot Ariel Tweto
Get to know astronaut John Herrington and pilot Ariel Tweto, who are appearing in the upcoming documentary Into America’s Wild, "an unforgettable cross-country adventure into the hidden wonders of the natural world." In conversation with Mandy Van Heuvelen (Mnicoujou Lakota), Cultural Interpreter Coordinator at the National Museum of the American Indian, Herrington and Tweto will discuss the spark that led them on their adventure pathways and share how their time in nature during the filming of this documentary provided opportunities to connect with their Native American heritage.
The Path to Mars 2020 (EZ Science Episode 4)
We look forward to NASA’s upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission by looking back at the Mars Pathfinder mission and Sojourner rover. Dr Ellen Stofan and Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen discuss the innovative elements of Mars 2020 (including a small solar-powered helicopter!) and what they hope to learn about the Red Planet when the new rover arrives in February 2021.
ABOUT THE SERIES: In our #EZScience video series with NASA, Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan and NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen talk about the latest in planetary science and exploration.
EZ Science
Have you checked out our #EZScience series with NASA? Each month, our director Ellen Stofan and NASA's Thomas Zurbuchen talk about the latest in space science. Check out our first three episodes on the Sun, exoplanets, and our Moon, and check back Tuesday for a new episode about Mars 2020: https://s.si.edu/2NSHNEk
What would you like us to discuss in future episodes? Let us know in the comments.
National History Day
National History Day is a student competition that engages students and teachers in historical research and skill development. More than a half a million middle and high school students participate each year. Each year National History Day frames students' research within a historical theme. The theme this year is Breaking Barriers in History. The National Air and Space Museum receives hundreds of requests for information and access to experts. Tune in to have your questions answered by experts from the Museum. Questions can be submitted in advance to [email protected] or live on Facebook. What is your topic for National History Day?
Back on Earth with Astronauts Anne McClain and Nick Hague
NASA Astronauts Anne McClain and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague spent four months together on the International Space Station. While in orbit, they did a total of five spacewalks, one of them together. Learn about their time living and working in space, their spacewalks, and their time together on the ISS.
"Moonshot" for String Quartet Trailer
Close out the Smithsonian Year of Music and the Museum’s Year of Apollo with “Moonshot,” a musical composition which charts milestones of the Apollo 11 mission: https://s.si.edu/37mXElU
Written by Alistair Coleman and performed by the Abeo Quartet, “Moonshot” is in three movements to reflect each painting of a triptych by artist On Kawara: I. July 16, 1969, launch; II. July 20, 1969, the lunar landing; and III. July 21, 1969, the day people on Earth came together to celebrate humanity’s first steps on the Moon. The paintings are on display at Glenstone Museum.
“Moonshot” was commissioned by the Glenstone Museum and recorded at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Watch the full performance: https://s.si.edu/37mXElU
Season's Greeting from Air and Space
Season's greetings from the National Air and Space Museum! As 2019 comes to a close, join us in looking back on a magical year.
Apollo 17 Lift Off
"And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return: with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
On this day in 1972, Apollo 17 lunar module "Challenger" departed the Moon with Harrison Schmitt and Gene Cernan, the last astronauts to walk on the Moon. LM liftoff was captured by a TV camera on the left-behind LRV. LM liftoff was captured by a TV camera on the left-behind LRV. More on how that happened: https://s.si.edu/38ED9lY
Life Lessons of a Tuskegee Airman
Happy 100th birthday to Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee! Over the years, Colonel McGee has been so generous with his time, inspiring our visitors with his story. In this video, he talks to STEM in 30 about his experience as a Tuskegee Airman and the advice he gives to young people.
The Importance of Music and Spaceflight
What was the first music in space? What role will music play in long duration spaceflight? What is the connection between a renowned band director and an astronaut? Find out the answers to these questions as more in this edition of What's New in Aerospace. Join NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Astronaut Fred Gregory and Dr. Michael Nickens a.k.a Doc Nix & The Green Machine from George Mason University in this discussion about music and spaceflight.
Our Favorite Star: The Sun (#EZScience Episode 3)
An essential part of our lives, the Sun presents many scientific mysteries. In the third episode of EZ Science, we chat about how spacecraft such as NASA’s Parker Solar Probe are exploring the wonders of the Sun right now.
ABOUT THE SERIES: In our #EZScience video series with NASA, Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan and NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen talk about the latest in planetary science and exploration.
Title: "If you can't be good, be colorful." Pete Conrad and Apollo 12
50 years ago today Apollo 12’s Pete Conrad and Alan Bean left the surface of the Moon to dock with Dick Gordon, and begin their journey home. This was the second time humans had landed on the Moon. Join Museum curator Dr. Teasel Muir-Harmony and Nancy Conrad, wife of Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad and founder of the Conrad Foundation for a conversation about Apollo 12. Beth Wilson, host of the Museum's STEM in 30 educational webcast series, will be moderating the discussion and taking your questions. What would you like to know about Apollo 12?
Apollo 12 Lightning Strike
“The flight was extremely normal... for the first 36 seconds then after that got very interesting." – Pete Conrad
During launch, the Apollo 12 Saturn V rocket and tower were hit by lightning, temporarily cutting electrical power and telemetry.
Apollo 12
Want to share the story Apollo 12 with your kids or students, or dive deeper yourself? Check out the latest episode of our STEM in 30 webcast series all about the science and history of Apollo 12, filmed at the Virginia Air & Space Center.
Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night
Join the National Air and Space Society for our 2019 Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night lecture featuring Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden.
A native of Jackson, Michigan, Alfred Worden graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1955. He was commissioned into the Air Force and logged more than 4,000 hours flying time during his career—including 2,500 hours in jets. He earned Master of Science degrees in Astronautical/Aeronautical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering from the University of Michigan.
In 1966, Worden was selected as an astronaut by NASA. He served as a member of the astronaut support crew for the Apollo 9 flight and as backup command module pilot for the Apollo 12 flight. Worden went to space on Apollo 15, serving as command module pilot. On that mission, he earned the designation of being the “most isolated human being” as he was 2,235 miles away from his crewmates at the command module’s greatest distance. He also logged 38 minutes of extravehicular activity—the first EVA performed out of Earth orbit.
Moving the Douglas DC-3
How do you move a 95 foot wide aircraft from the Museum in DC to the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia 30 miles away?
“One of the things that make us fairly unique in the US, in the world, is just the size of our collection of very large artifacts. You have to get specialized equipment, specially trained people. Everything about the way you move it is very different than how you move most museum artifacts.”
Women on Wikipedia: Ada Lovelace Day
In celebration of Ada Lovelace Day, an international event recognizing the achievements of women in STEM, we are collaborating with Wikipedia to improve and create articles about women in aviation and space.
Join us for a live webcast at 11:00 am as we discuss women in STEM like Sally Ride, Phoebe Waterman Haas, and early aviators. We'll highlight some of the progress made in the edit-a-thon and introduce you to inspiring women you need to know..
This program is in conjunction with the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, a multiyear undertaking to document, research, collect, display, and share the history of women in the United States.
Fly Girls! Women in Aerospace
From the time the airplane first took to the air women have played an important role in shaping the aerospace industry. In the latest episode of STEM in 30, the first private space explorer, Anousheh Ansari, joins us as we take a look at the contributions of early women aviators, female astronauts and other pioneering women featured in the Museum.
#EZScience Episode 2: The Search for New Planets
Let's talk about our search for new planets using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, James Webb Space Telescope and more. Enjoy the latest episode of E.Z. Science!
ABOUT THE SERIES: In our #EZScience video series with the National Air and Space Museum, NASA's associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan talk about the latest in planetary science and exploration.
Our Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory celebrated its 10th anniversary this week. We’re live talking about the observatory and how we use it to safely view the Sun!
CIA JAWBREAKER Mi-17
On September 26, 2001, the CIA's JAWBREAKER team were the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan post 9/11, arriving in this Mi-17 helicopter.
Our STEM in 30 webcast team were the first to film with the Mi-17 and CIA Museum director Robert Byer in its display at CIA headquarters.
What is the National Air and Space Museum
Did you catch us on Final Jeopardy last night?
Yes, we were founded in 1946 as the National Air Museum. We became the National Air and Space Museum 20 years later in 1966, and finally opened to the public 10 years after that in 1976, a bicentennial gift to the nation.
Women of Apollo
We’re live from our Women of Apollo lecture with three women who ascended through glass ceilings during the Apollo program: JoAnn Hardin Morgan, Poppy Northcutt, and Carolyn Leach Huntoon.
This program is made possible by the generous support of Boeing.
9/11 Memorial
Today, we remember those lost on September 11.
On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airliners and flew two into the World Trade Center (American Airlines 11 and United Airlines 175) and one into the Pentagon (American Airlines 77). A fourth (United Airlines 93) crashed in rural Pennsylvania.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum remembers and honors the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others.
The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows
Speed. Agility. Precision. That's what the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows are all about. They are one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams, flying Hawk fast-jets in awe-inspiring formations and stunts. Join STEM in 30 host Beth Wilson as she talks with this amazing team!
Royal Air Force Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft arriving for our static display today. Get up close with the aircraft and meet the air crew now til 3 pm.
"Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" Full Show
It's finally here: the full video of "Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" projection show! Relive the inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime celebration, which unfolded on the face of the Washington Monument July 19 and 20 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. "Go for the Moon" captures the excitement of the first Moon landing and tells the story of the iconic Apollo 11 mission from launch to landing and beyond.
"Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" was commissioned by the National Air and Space Museum and produced by 59 Productions The Museum's Apollo 50 programming was made possible by the support of Boeing with additional support from Raytheon.
E.Z. Science Episode 1 - Apollo
In E.Z. Science, a new web series from the National Air and Space Museum and NASA, Museum director Dr. Ellen Stofan and NASA associate administrator for science Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen talk about the latest in planetary science and exploration. First up: Apollo! Dr E. and Dr. Z. discuss how the Apollo program inspired them, what we learned from our first Moon landings, and where we go from here.
What should Dr. E. and Dr. Z. to talk about next? Let us know in the comments.
"Go For the Moon" Projection: Behind the Scenes
How exactly do you project a Saturn V rocket on the Washington Monument and produce a show the scale of our "Go for the Moon" Apollo 50 centerpiece? Go behind the scenes with the team from Air and Space and 59 Productions to see how it all came together. #GoForTheMoon Apollo50.si.edu
Go for the Moon was made possible by the generous support of Boeing, with additional support from Raytheon.
Apollo 11 Trivia
Apollo 11 Trivia
Apollo 11 Trivia round 2
Do you love trivia? Do you want to play along with visitors to the National Air and Space Museum as part of our celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing? Tune in right now and play along. You can visit pollev.com/nasm from any device to try your hand at Apollo trivia. Hosts Marty Kelsey and Beth Wilson from the museum's STEM in 30 TV show for middle school students will be joined by curators from the Space History Department giving answers, and telling stories.
What's New in Aerospace: Eyewitness to Space: Art and the Apollo Program
Art and science sound like a strange mix but NASA thought the intersection between the two disciplines would provide a visual history bringing the far reaches of the universe to the public. NASA’s art program began in 1962 shortly after the creation of the agency. It has hosted many household names including Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz. This What’s New in Aerospace will feature National Air and Space Museum, Guggenheim Fellow Lois Rosson exploring the past and present of NASA’s art program.
Apollo 11 Trivia
Do you love trivia? Do you want to play along with visitors to the National Air and Space Museum as part of our celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing? Tune in right now and play along. You can visit pollev.com/nasm from any device to try your hand at Apollo trivia. Hosts Marty Kelsey and Beth Wilson from the museum's STEM in 30 TV show for middle school students will be joined by curators from the Space History Department giving answers, and telling stories.
#GoForTheMoon Trailer
T-7 hours to launch. After three nights on the launch pad, the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket on the Washington Monument launches tonight during our 17-minute "Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" projection show. 9:30pm, 10:30 pm, and 11:30 pm on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20. #GoForTheMoon combines full-motion projection mapping artwork and archival footage to recreate the launch of Apollo 11 and tell the story of the first Moon landing. The show will unfold on the face of the Washington Monument and supporting screens, including a 40-foot-wide recreation of the famous Kennedy Space Center countdown clock.
Go for the Moon was commissioned by the Museum as part of our Apollo 50 celebration. It was created by 59 Productions.
Hatch Replica build with Adam Savage
LIVE LOOK-IN: Watch live as Adam Savage and others put together a life-size replica of the Apollo 11 command module Columbia hatch, with components fabricated by over 40 makers from around the country. PLEASE NOTE: audio is ambient, Adam will not be addressing the webcast directly.
Neil Armstrong Spacesuit Conservation
We explore our multi-year conservation of Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 spacesuit, put back on display on July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/2kd33Jf
Shooting Lasers at the Moon: Hal Walker and the Lunar Retroreflector
Humans first walked on the moon 50 years ago. During that first moonwalk the astronauts left a mirror (retroreflector) on the surface. Hal Walker led the team that developed the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment. Hal and his team fired a Laser from Earth that hit the retroreflector and was bounced back providing the most precise measurement of the distance to the moon ever recorded. This experiment also proved that humans had visited the surface of the moon. Learn about the science behind this experiment, and the amazing work done by Hal Walker.
Asteroid Day 2019
TODAY at 1:00 PM EDT: Explore how we protect ourselves from asteroids.
On June 30, 1908, an asteroid caused a massive air blast that flattened thousands of square miles in Siberia. To mark the 111 year anniversary of the largest impact-related event in modern history, we're bringing in asteroid experts to discuss the threats asteroids pose and how we are protecting ourselves from the danger they may cause. Bring your questions as we talk all things asteroids!
The discussion will be moderated by Jim Zimbelman from the Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. Speakers include Museum Director Ellen Stofan on the importance of impacts throughout the solar system,
NASA astronaut Tom Jones on the asteroid hazard from a scientist-astronaut's perspective, and
NASA scientists.
This program is in recognition of Asteroid Day, a UN-sanctioned global awareness campaign.
The National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA display the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artifacts.
