Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

A vibrant hydrogen balloon with intricate blue and gold designs floats above a bustling outdoor event set against a cloudy sky. Below, several white tents are set up in a grassy park, with groups of people mingling and walking around.

Balloon Expert Reacts to the Bridgerton Runaway Balloon Scene

Just how accurate is the portrayal of lighter-than-air flight in the third season of Bridgerton? Ballooning curator Tom Paone provides historical context.

A ladies long-sleeve blouse fastened by four plastic white buttons hangs against a dark background. The blouse features a multi-color map pattern printed on a white silk background.

How a World War II Escape Map Found a Second Use as a Ladies Garment

SR-71 Blackbird on display in a museum

Why the SR-71 Blackbird Never Gets Old

Three people stand inside one balloon's cavernous orange envelope during inflation.

See Hundreds of Hot Air Balloons Soar Above the Ground at the Largest Event of Its Kind

A German fighter aircraft is painted dull grey, with some black markings including a Nazi swastika. A large gun in mounted near the nose of the plane, which has a single large propeller.

Where to See World War II Aircraft Up Close

Overhead detail view of a trophy showing a silver angel extending her arms holding a vintage airplane.

The Trophy That Honors U.S. Air Force Flights

Two U.S. Navy men in uniform--a pilot and an aviator — stand in front of the cockpit of an F-4B Phantom II military jet aircraft.

Reflections from a Vietnam War POW

Speedball Alice, a restored dark green P-51D airplane with white stripes, is parked on a tarmac in the Reno desert, with mountains and blue sky in the background.

The Final Reno Air Show

A young woman wearing a U.S. Navy olive-green flightsuit and black combat boots perches next to the cockpit of her F/A-18C miltary jet. "Lt Sharon Cummins" is stenciled onto the side of the airplane.

Meet the First American Women to Fly Combat Missions

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a vast open space filled with airplanes on both the floor and hanging from the ceiling, tilted at angles that convey the impression of flight.

20 Years of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Chuck Yeager's Ribbon Bar

What Chuck Yeager's Medals and Ribbons Tell Us About His Career

A black-and-white photo, tinged light brown, shows around 3/4 of massive airship as it exits a pitch black hangar opening.

Are We in an Airship Renaissance?

06I_FALL2023_UpToSpeed-Foam331_NASM2023-02093_LIVE.jpg

First-Responder Rescue Truck From 9/11 Goes on Display at the National Air and Space Museum

Dorothy Cochrane with Extra 260

Why Would a Museum Hang an Airplane Upside Down?

Sean Tucker Flying Challenger III

Aerobatic Pilot Sean Tucker and Orbis International Will Speak at National Air and Space Museum

The Perseverance captured this image of itself and the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter days before its maiden flight. (NASA/ JPL-Caltech/ ASU/ MSSS/ Seán Doran)

The Wright Moment: Ingenuity Prepares for Flight

Lt. Ward Hitt, Jr., sitting in the cockpit of his North American F-86A Sabre fighter, gives his crew chief the OK hand sign, South Korea.

70 Years Ago: F-86s and MiGs over Korea

Chuck Yeager with Bell X-1. (NASM)

Remembering Chuck Yeager, a Pilot with the Right Stuff

The F/A-18C Hornet, Bureau Number 163439, of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, makes its last stop as it joins the National Air and Space Museum’s collection.

A Blue Angel Makes Its Final Flight Into The National Collection

Three-quarter left front view of Cessna BW-5 (r/n C6623, National Air Races race no. 98) on the ground, possibly at Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, circa September 1928. Posed standing beside nose of aircraft are pilot Francis D.

Francis D. Bowhan: Osage Pilot

Latest

Balloon Expert Reacts to the Bridgerton Runaway Balloon Scene

Get a Closer Look at the Star Trek Enterprise Model

Categories
Archive