Celebrating the greatest feats of aviation and space at two locations in DC and Virginia. The Museum in DC is open every day from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
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Timed-entry passes are required and can be reserved here: https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, is open every day from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Passes are not required. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum maintains the world's largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human
flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials. This page represents both the National Mall location in Washington D.C, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Together, these facilities welcome more than eight million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in the country. We encourage you to share your visits using . Please feel free to share thoughts about our posts, ask us questions, or tell us about your visit.
On this day in 1961, Gus Grissom became the second American in space. His suborbital flight in Liberty Bell 7 lasted about 15 minutes. Following splashdown, a hatch issue caused Liberty Bell 7 to flood and sink to the ocean floor, where it remained until it was recovered in 1999. Explore more from our blog: https://s.si.edu/36Tx6KK
Today in 1946, the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom became the first U.S. jet aircraft to take off from and land on an aircraft carrier. It was the first U.S. jet fighter to enter operational service with both the Navy and Marine Corps: https://s.si.edu/3SilUiS
50 years ago today, the Space Window at the Washington National Cathedral was officially dedicated. Designed to honor the scientists and technicians who made the Moon landing possible, the window includes a Moon rock brought back during the Apollo 11 mission. The rock was presented to the Cathedral by the Apollo 11 astronauts during the window's dedication on this day in 1974. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/4fnIPU6
The spacesuit worn by Neil Armstrong when he took humanity's first steps on the Moon on this day in 1969 is on display in "Destination Moon." Learn about the extensive conservation the spacesuit recently underwent and how we conserved a wearable legacy: s.si.edu/3Y2agdM
On this day in 1976, Viking 1 landed on Mars and minutes later captured the first image taken from the Martian surface.
This Viking Lander proof test article is in our collection and will go back on display next year when Milestones of Flight Hall reopens. .
Happy Moon Landing Day! 55 years ago today, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon. This photo shows both astronauts on the Moon, with Armstrong reflected in the visor of Aldrin's helmet.
Five years ago tonight, after being projected on the Washington Monument for three nights, our Saturn V launched for the first time.
It was quite a spectacular sight. Watch the full show again: https://s.si.edu/3PxUy4Q
On this day in 1941, the first class of Black aviation cadets (who would become the Tuskegee Airmen) began training at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen: s.si.edu/3JyDYQR
Meet Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee and get to know her inspiring story as she maneuvers through the sky as the first woman to fly jet formations as a Blue Angel.
Read “Diamonds in the Sky” in our latest issue: https://s.si.edu/3LvdLEe
On this day in 1921, spaceflight legend John Glenn was born. Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, and he returned to space on board Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the only Mercury astronaut to fly on the Space Shuttle.
80 years ago today, Tuskegee Airman Lt. C.D. "Lucky" Lester downed three German aircraft in less than six minutes in the skies over Europe. The oil painting "Two Down, One to Go" by W.S. Phillips portrays Lester achieving the feat.
35 years ago today, the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber made its first flight.
Read about the elite pilots that fly the B-2 in "The Stealth Bomber Elite" from Smithsonian magazine: https://s.si.edu/3AX4f8w
On this day in 1975, a U.S. Apollo spacecraft and USSR Soyuz docked in the first international human spaceflight mission: the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. The mission also involved the first international handshake in space, as American astronaut Tom Stafford and Soviet cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov shook hands.
Five years ago tonight, on the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, we unveiled our own Moonshot: a projection of the Saturn V rocket on the Washington Monument as part of our celebration.
Were you there? 🚀
On this day in 1971, Jeanne Holm was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the first woman US Air Force general. Two years later she achieved the rank of major general.
Throughout her USAF career, Holm advocated for increased roles and opportunities for women.
We have liftoff on Apollo 11! 55 years ago, at 9:32 am on July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin launched atop a massive Saturn V rocket on their historic journey to the Moon: https://s.si.edu/3zbRq92
65 years ago today, NASA's iconic "meatball" logo was officially unveiled. The logo was designed by James Modarelli as a less formal alternative to the organization's official seal.
More on the history of the logo: https://s.si.edu/3Woxcor
70 years ago today, the Boeing 367-80, aka the Dash 80, made its first flight. The Dash 80 was the prototype of America's first jet airliner: https://s.si.edu/3j5mbT3
On this day in 2015, New Horizons, the first spacecraft to explore Pluto, made its closest approach to the dwarf planet. Pictured here is our full-scale model of the New Horizons spacecraft.
Something was different about the class of astronaut candidates introduced in January 1990: Three of the women in the class were military officers. Read a new blog on how Eileen Collins, Nancy Currie and Susan Helms went from military aviation to space: https://s.si.edu/4cJuGis
In 1944, this Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen (Zero) was captured on Saipan Island and sent to the United States for evaluation. A little over a year later, on July 13, 1945, it reached 93 hours and 15 minutes of flight time in Allied hands. Curatorial records show that the aircraft spent time at military bases in Ohio, Florida, D.C., and Indiana before joining the Museum collection.
Our French twin-engine Caudron G.4 is among the oldest surviving bomber aircraft in the world, and one of the very few remaining multi-engine aircraft from the World War I period. Given to the Smithsonian today in 1918, you can see it at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
During World War II, American Volunteer Group (AVG) Flying Tigers flew shark-mouthed P-40s like this one. The distinctive shape of the P-40's nose was the perfect canvas to create a flying shark.
On this day in 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first U.S. president to fly in a helicopter while in office aboard this Bell H-13J. It is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. 🚁
On this day in 1969, days before the launch of Apollo 11, David Bowie released "Space Oddity" as a single. With space-age instrumentation, it caught the attention of the BBC, who used it in their coverage of the first lunar landing mission. Read the blog: https://s.si.edu/3O9nxOg
We join the aerospace community in honoring the life and legacy of pilot, astronaut, and engineer Joe Engle, who died this week. Major General Engle flew F-100s in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a test pilot, completed 16 flights in the X-15, commanded three of Enterprise's Approach and Landing Tests, and launched on Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-2 mission and Discovery's STS-51-I mission.
In the latest issue of ASQ, Dave Kindy explores how flying boats opened up travel destinations around the world — and then went to war.
Read “Luxury Liners of the Air”: https://s.si.edu/3xIFgXE
On this day in 1962, Telstar 1 launched. Telstar was the world's first active communications satellite and was one of the most significant communications satellites of the early space age.
On this day in 1933, Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh took off from New York in Lockheed Sirius "Tingmissartoq" on flights to survey potential commercial air routes: http://s.si.edu/2VY3qqQ
45 years ago today, Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Jupiter. This Voyager Development Test Model is in our collection and is on display in the “Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery”: https://s.si.edu/2BLbJj5
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One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind… 55 years ago tonight, Neil Armstrong walked on the lunar surface for the first time. #Apollo11 #MoonLanding #NASA
Five years ago tonight, after being projected on the Washington Monument for three nights, our #GoForTheMoon Saturn V launched for the first time. It was quite a spectacular sight. Watch the full show again: https://s.si.edu/3PxUy4Q
Kinda can’t believe it’s been 13 years since the last Space Shuttle launch. 🚀 Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on STS-135 this week in 2011.
What advice would NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins give her younger self? #SallysNight #BlackSpaceWeek #WomenInSpace
The Hurricane Hunters have arrived for Innovations in Flight tomorrow.
Look what’s arrived for our Innovations in Flight outdoor aviation display tomorrow 👀 #a10 #a10warthog #warthog #usairforce
Bridgerton: There’s a hot air balloon plot in season 3 Us: This is the moment we’ve been waiting for 🖼️: Artwork from the Evelyn Way Kendall Ballooning and Early Aviation Collection #Ballooning #HotAirBalloon #Bridgerton #BridgertonSeason3
You don't want to miss this year's Innovations in Flight outdoor aviation display — over 50 aircraft fly into the Udvar-Hazy Center for one day only June 15. Free tickets (required to attend the outdoor portion of the event) are available now: https://s.si.edu/3yfrJXn Sponsored by United
🎵: “Aurora” from “Under Ancient Skies,” a collaboration between the National Air and Space Museum and Diplo, with narration by Hrishikesh Hirway Listen to the full track at the link in our bio
In 2019, X-wings took flight over Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort. Now, one of those X-wing drones is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. #StarWarsDay #MayTheFourthBeWithYou
Taylor Swift said “I hate it here so I will go to lunar valleys in my mind” and we felt that. #tsTTPD 🎥: Walking on Others Worlds in the “Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery” at the Museum in DC.
What causes the crescent shadows on the ground during an eclipse? #Eclipse #SolarEclipse #Eclipse2024
Will you be in the path of totality for tomorrow’s solar eclipse? Here are some viewing tips from the National Air and Space Museum. #Eclipse #TotalSolarEclipse #Eclipse2024
On April 8, a solar eclipse will cross the U.S., visible from everywhere in the lower 48. Are you watching?
On April 1, 2015, we announced a blockbuster exhibit—Wonder Woman's invisible jet, on display for one day only! 😲 Still one of our favorite April Fools' Day moments. More on Wonder Woman at the Smithsonian: https://s.si.edu/2WTOc6i
Last night, we awarded Peggy Whitson the 2024 Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime Achievement. From medical researcher to ISS Commander to Axiom astronaut, Whitson has led a distinguished career of dedication, perseverance, and passion in space science. #CollinsTrophy #WHM
Last night, we awarded the DART Mission Team the 2024 Michael Collins Trophy for Current Achievement. In 2022, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft collided with an asteroid and successfully changed its orbit — a technique that could be used for planetary defense if needed. #CollinsTrophy
What’s up with Leap Day? Astronomy educator Shauna Edson breaks it down. Hear more from Shauna about the science of Leap Days in a new episode from our @AirSpacePod. #LeapDay #LeapDay2024 #LeapYear
#MarsHelicopter Ingenuity achieved an impressive 72 flights on the Red Planet #ThanksIngenuity #Mars #SpaceGeek
How one photo of Earth changed the way we thought about our home. 🌎 “Earthrise” was taken by the crew of Apollo 8 on this day 55 years ago. The “Transformational Technologies” video series is made possible by the support of @LockheedMartin.
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