Air and Space Museum Archives - What To See In Washington DC

A September Wright Brothers’ Story

ExhibitSeptember 25, 20264KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Wilbur Wright first set foot in the Outer Banks of North Carolina in September 1900. After he'd written a local, William Tate, seeking information, Tate had invited him to stay with him, but had warned, "Would advise you to come anytime from September 15 to October 15. Don't wait until November." Although Tate didn't know…

A Family Trip to Space on the Space Shuttle Discovery

ExhibitAugust 28, 20265KViews 0Likes 0Comments

This family trip left late, but it wasn't the kids' fault. When weather, then vehicle issues, delayed the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on August 28, 2009, it wasn't because of the kids, since only parents were on board. This thirteen-day mission to the International Space Station was a resupply and assembly voyage to continue…

“Fortress Under Fire”: Learn the Story Behind This Air and Space Mural

ExhibitAugust 14, 2026839Views 0Likes 0Comments

It'll always be 11:45 am on August 15th, 1944, in this gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. This giant mural, "Fortress Under Fire", captures a moment of the gigantic air battle fought just weeks after D-Day, when the Eighth Air Force launched 932 heavy bombers and 443 fighters against…

The Air and Space Museum Opens “WWII in the Air” Exhibit Next Week

ExhibitJune 26, 2026651Views 0Likes 0Comments

After closing the WWII exhibit for renovations over the last several years, the new gallery opens this Wednesday, July 1st. From the Battle of Britain to the brutal combat on the Eastern Front to the carrier wars in the Pacific, this exhibition tries to cover the breadth of the war in a 6,000 square foot…

7 Essential DC Locations for South Carolinians to See This Memorial Day

HolidaysMay 15, 20261KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Are you heading up from South Carolina to Washington, DC for Memorial Day in honor of America's 250th birthday? Here are seven must-see places for your trip. 1) Arlington National Cemetery This is the centerpiece of our national remembrances on Memorial Day. Over 400,000 people who fought for our country are buried here, dating back…

The Hidden Secret of Apollo’s Heat Shield- Inside “Destination Moon” at the Air and Space Museum

ExhibitMay 1, 20261KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Imagine you're hurtling back from the moon at 24,700 miles per hour. Your lunar mission milestones are accomplished. All that's left is to safely return to Earth. As you hit Earth's atmosphere, you watch a fireball of glowing plasma outside your window, blazing at 5,000 degrees. How do you survive this re-entry without burning up…

Revisiting Apollo 8 In Honor of the Artemis II Mission

MuseumsApril 10, 20264KViews 0Likes 0Comments

With Artemis reviving public interest in our return to the moon, will it also drive attention back to the marvel that was the Apollo program? You can remember the success of Apollo 8 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum here in Washington, DC. It was our first deep space mission to the moon…

5 Astronauts You Didn’t Know Were Trekkies

MuseumsMarch 27, 2026745Views 0Likes 0Comments

Star Trek has been an inspiration to its viewers since the first episode aired in 1966. It would still be another three years before man set foot on the moon, but people were already dreaming of the “final frontier”. Many scientists, inventors, and creatives have cited Star Trek as an influence on their work. Among…

Faithful Family Field Trip to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

MuseumsFebruary 16, 20262KViews 0Likes 0Comments

In week 13, cycle 2 of Classical Conversations, you learn about space missions. This is the perfect opportunity to take a field trip to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. There you can explore the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space capsules, while learning about the men and women who flew them. One…

Bill Lear Honored by the First Flight Society

ExhibitDecember 19, 20252KViews 0Likes 0Comments

When Bill Lear created the Learjet, the bizjet was born. Its small field performance opened access to America, allowing businessmen to move rapidly across the US. Entertainers and celebrities quickly followed because of the plane's luxury, speed, and convenience. You can see the Learjet 23 prototype in the “We All Fly” exhibit at the Smithsonian…