Flying Machines
Vehicles designed for air and space flightExplore Air & Space articles about types of air and spacecraft.
One-and-Onlies: The Complete List
All the Smithsonian’s one-of-a-kind aircraft
August 14, 2012 |
By Patricia Trenner
Let George Fly the Plane
Autopilot is one of the greatest inventions ever for pilots. But have we paid a price?
August 10, 2012 |
By Steve Satre
Scooping the Soviets
The radio telescope at England's Jodrell Bank Observatory got the news scoop of the century in the early days of the space race.
August 08, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Awaiting Curiosity’s Fate
As the rover rocketed down to the Martian surface, the team at JPL could only wait and hope.
August 06, 2012 |
By Bruce Lieberman
A Tale of Two Mars Cameras
Director James Cameron's 3D camera may have been bumped from the Curiosity Mars lander. But MARDI will give us first-time color views of the descent.
August 03, 2012 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Newt Space
Does the history of two early pioneers of aviation offer an analogy for spaceflight?
July 31, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
What’s Under the Thames?
Almost 100 aircraft were lost in the river during World War II alone, and it's not certain how many are still to be recovered.
July 27, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Kavli Meets Kuiper
Two decades later, three scientists are rewarded for discovering a new body of objects in our solar system.
July 25, 2012 |
By Heather Goss
London’s Armed Rooftops
As the world's athletes put on their game face, the British Army prepares for aerial attack.
July 24, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Single Room, Earth View
America's first woman in space describes the beauty of Earth from orbit.
July 2012 |
By Sally Ride
The Tale of Falcon 1
The development of SpaceX's Falcon 1 is a story of promise -- and partial fulfillment.
July 22, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Bubble Bubble – Swirl and Trouble
Localized bubbles of high magnetic intensity may explain some enigmatic lunar surface features
July 19, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
To the North Pole…by Balloon
115 years ago today, three Swedish explorers set off on the only attempt ever to reach the Pole by balloon.
July 11, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Telstar Turns 50
The world's first transatlantic TV broadcast included a quip from President Kennedy and folk dancing in Quebec.
July 10, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Failure to Launch, Failure to Lead
The Space Exploration Initiative and the Vision for Space Exploration -- two proposals, two failures. Why?
July 02, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Gyroplanes Swarm in Florida
The Annual Bensen Days fly-in welcomes rotorheads.
July 2012 |
By Bill Wilson
Summer at the Smithsonian
Planning a visit to the Museum? We provide some helpful hints.
July 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Bait and Switch in Libya
Naval aviators push Qaddafi's buttons in a 1981 exercise.
July 2012 |
By Commander Thompson E. Sanders U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Short Strips and Flying Pigs
When flying in Papua, be prepared for surprises.
July 2012 |
By Nate Gordon
