Air & Space Magazine: July 2007

Articles

An American Obsession

When she vanished-70 years ago this July-she was as big a star as Greta Garbo. Is that why some are still driven to solve the mystery of Amelia Earhart?

Think You Know Amelia?

Take our Earhart quiz and find out.

Can We Hear Them Now?

Speak up, space aliens. These 42 new radio telescopes are all ears.

Alenia's Gamble

To help build the Boeing 787's composite fuselage, Italy spends a bundle.

Alenia's Robots

They're not as wise as R2D2, but robots are essential in building aircraft like the Airbus A380.

Flight Lines

Why contrails hang around.

Buried at the Bottom of the World

When people die serving their country, to what lengths must a government go to recover the bodies?

Operation Highjump

A year after World War II ended, the U.S. Navy mounted a massive-though hastily planned-mission to the bottom of the world.

It All Started with Sputnik

An eminent space historian looks back on the first 50 years of space exploration.

50 Ways to Space Out

Looking for ways to celebrate a half century of spaceflight? Here's fifty of 'em.

The Real Reasons We Explore Space

Ambition, curiosity, and a reason the NASA Administrator admits has nothing to do with economic benefit.

Restorative Genius

A young military airplane craftsman makes his mark.

In Thrust We Trust

To Tim Pickens, rockets are the only way to go.

How Things Work - Afterburners

Jets get no kick from champagne, but a little fuel in the tailpipe...

The Niihau Zero

A downed Japanese pilot, an isolated island, a moment of betrayal, and a rare airplane recovered 60 years later.

Hunting Zeros

Finding an airworthy Zero is not easy these days. In fact, you can count them on one hand.

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In the Magazine

Snapshot

Reader Scrapbook

Need to Know

What does it take to become an "ace"?

And has anyone ever been stripped of their status?