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. It operates two landmark facilities that, together, welcome more than eight million visitors a year.

Release Dates Passes Available for Reservation; Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET: Sunday, December 1 - Wednesday January 15, 2025: Friday, December 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET

Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.

Free timed-entry passes are currently required for all visitors, regardless of age. One person can reserve up to six passes. Active National Air and Space Society members receive access to a special members-only pool of passes.

Nov 9, 2021 · This blog is in the process of being updated. Please check back later for more information. In the meantime, you may enjoy this blog post about attempts to return to the Moon in the 1980s- early 2000s.

Aug 23, 2023 · In 1961, President John Kennedy called on the nation to send a man to the Moon. In 1969, the United States did just that. Today, many are familiar with the story of Neil Armstrong’s first few steps on the Moon (cue the “That’s one small step...” quote), but have you ever questioned why we invested so much time, effort, and national attention in getting there?

A New Look for a New Military Service: General Raymond’s U.S. Space ...

Joseph L. Mortensen navigated the air mail route from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Reno, Nevada, in 1920 using this scrolling map and knee board. This object is called a "knee board" because a pilot would strap it to their leg.

After four days traveling to the Moon, the Lunar Module Eagle, carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon.. Neil Armstrong exited the spacecraft and became the first human to walk on the moon. As an estimated 650 million people watched, Armstrong proclaimed "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Amelia Earhart is one of the most famous American pilots. A record setting aviator, she was the second person to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the United States, among other accomplishments.