The Space Race grew out of a conflict known as the Cold War. While not a war in the traditional sense, the two countries were in a state of military and political tension that lasted nearly 50 years ...

The NASM B-26B-25-MA named "Flak-Bait" (AAF serial number 41-31773) survived 202 combat missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during World War II. Workers at the Baltimore ...

Nation of Speed recounts our desire to become the fastest on land, sea, air, and space in the pursuit of commerce, power, and prestige.

In 1943 the all-wing and jet-propelled Horten Ho 229 ('aitch-oh-two-two-nine') promised spectacular performance and the German air force (Luftwaffe) chief, Hermann Göring, allocated half-a-million ...

Learn more about the evolution of the commercial flying experience in the United States using objects from the Museum's collection.

The MiG-15 featured the first production swept wing, pressurized cockpit, and ejection seat on a Soviet aircraft. Although Mikoyan and Gurevich were aware of German turbojet and swept-wing work, this ...

You cannot tell the story of international air travel in the United States without talking about Pan Am. Pan American Airways was the nation's sole international airline before World War II. Even ...

The MiG-21 was the Soviet Union's first truly modern, second-generation jet fighter. Testing began in 1956, and the first version entered service in 1960 as the MiG-21F-13. Soviet designers developed ...

When the National Air and Space Museum opened its doors in July 1976, it featured in its theater a film produced specifically for the Museum called To Fly in a large format called IMAX.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a major Cold War confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The National Air and Space Museum provides an overview of our solar system, including the planets, moons, and other celestial objects.

Learn how the Wright brothers conducted aeronautical research in pursuit of making the first powered airplane.