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National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Voices

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.

Amy Stamm | June 12, 2024
Starship Enterprise

Get a Closer Look at the Star Trek Enterprise Model

The starship model used in filming underwent an extensive conservation

| June 10, 2024
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

A look at an airman's special memento

Diane Tedeschi | June 5, 2024
The smooth surface of a round planet is partially illuminated by the sun; the planet's other half is in shadow. The planet is surrounded by thousands of rings.

The Weird, Wild and Wonderful Universe, According to the Internet's Favorite Astronomer

Air & Space Quarterly talks to The Bad Astronomer Phil Plait

Diane Tedeschi | May 31, 2024
SR-71 Blackbird on display in a museum

Why the SR-71 Blackbird Never Gets Old

The beauty of Lockheed's Blackbird

Mike Hankins | May 28, 2024
A stunning panorama of the Martian desert with a twilight sky. The landscape appears light rust and dull blue and is covered with boulders. A hill can be seen on the right.

For 20 years, Robots Have Inhabited Mars. What Keeps Them Humming?

NASA’s robotic exploration team has proven they have the right stuff

Matthew Shindell | May 24, 2024
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

In 2023, nearly a million people experienced the wonder of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Jim Preston | May 16, 2024
Adam Savage poses heroically in his spacesuit, which appears white, bulbous, and dusty despite never going to space. His face, wearing glasses, is illuminated behind the transparent plastic bubble that forms most of the helmet.

Adam Savage's Quest to Build His Own Spacesuit

For the MythBusters star, attention to detail is everything

Adam Savage | May 13, 2024
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

Seven National Air and Space Museum aircraft on display in your neighborhood

Mark Strauss | May 9, 2024
A museum display features a statue of a male astronaut standing with his arms outstretched in front of a metal sculpture lit by red and purple lighting. A museum visitor stands in a similar pose in front of the statue.

A Cultural History of Soviet Cosmonauts

A new book explores the legacy of the Soviet Union’s human spaceflight program

Diane Tedeschi | May 2, 2024
Categories
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