@airandspace

Sharing inspiring stories, moments of awe, and one-of-a-kind artifacts from aviation and space history. Start exploring: https://xitter.cf/t.co/Nw4JxChkHI 鉁堬笍 馃殌 馃獝

 Smithsonian, Washington DC
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Joined May 2008
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During the STS-52 mission on this day in 1992, the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia captured this incredible image of moonrise followed quickly by sunrise.
A stunning view of a crescent moon above the horizon with colorful bands of blue and orange twilight in the sky.

ALT A stunning view of a crescent moon above the horizon with colorful bands of blue and orange twilight in the sky.

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On October 22, 1797, Andr茅-Jacques Garnerin descended from 3,200 feet in a basket while attached to a parachute at the Parc Monceau in Paris, France. He was the first person to descend with a frameless parachute, which he invented.
An historical illustration depicting the early parachute design showing a person descending in a parachute with a balloon-like canopy and a basket attached beneath.

ALT An historical illustration depicting the early parachute design showing a person descending in a parachute with a balloon-like canopy and a basket attached beneath.

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Today in 1960, Paul Edward Yost became 鈥渢he father of modern hot-air ballooning" when he made his first free flight in a hot air balloon with a lawn chair-like contraption and a propane-burner system. 馃摳: @balloonmuseum
A vintage black and white photo showing a hot air balloon, in flight with one person suspended below it. Several individuals are watching from an open field.

ALT A vintage black and white photo showing a hot air balloon, in flight with one person suspended below it. Several individuals are watching from an open field.

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On this day in 1968, Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham splashed down in the Atlantic in the Apollo 7 command module, ending a successful mission. Explore the history of the mission: s.si.edu/46UYoy1
A Navy helicopter hovering over the ocean near a small raft with astronauts sitting inside, having just completed a space mission.

ALT A Navy helicopter hovering over the ocean near a small raft with astronauts sitting inside, having just completed a space mission.

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The supersonic YF-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber flew for the first time on this day in 1955. In this photo from our Archives, a YF-105A refuels a YF-105B in the air.
Two U.S. Air Force YF-105 Thunderchief jets flying in formation above a mountainous landscape.

ALT Two U.S. Air Force YF-105 Thunderchief jets flying in formation above a mountainous landscape.

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On #TDIH in 1964, the "Promise" barge carried the first stage and engines of the Saturn V down the Mississippi River. Artist Theodore Hancock captured the scene in watercolor as part of the NASA Art Program.
Illustration of a canal lock with a futuristic design, featuring a large wheel-like structure labeled "PROMISE" in the center. The background includes abstract representations of water and sky.

ALT Illustration of a canal lock with a futuristic design, featuring a large wheel-like structure labeled "PROMISE" in the center. The background includes abstract representations of water and sky.

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In the early days of aviation, many studios blocked actors from flying, but by the 1930s, the safety and economic values of flying were clear and stars began flying to promote films. An @LATimes article #OTD in 1934 noted this change. 馃摲: Lucille Ball
A person in a stylish coat and hat is stepping off a Western Air Express plane. The airplane door behind them is open, and the words "Western Air Express" are visible on the plane and a step stool.

ALT A person in a stylish coat and hat is stepping off a Western Air Express plane. The airplane door behind them is open, and the words "Western Air Express" are visible on the plane and a step stool.

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On #TDIH in 1973, Heino Brditschka made history with the world's first electric powered flight in his customized HB-3. To achieve the feat, Brditschka reequipped the aircraft with electric propulsion, renaming it MB-E1.
A vintage glider in flight, featuring logos for Varta and Bosch.. The glider's design includes a high wing and a sleek fuselage.

ALT A vintage glider in flight, featuring logos for Varta and Bosch.. The glider's design includes a high wing and a sleek fuselage.

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Now on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: A Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk The F-117 is the world鈥檚 first true operational stealth combat aircraft. The Museum's F-117 was restored for display by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, which included demilitarizing the aircraft and restoring it to its final operational appearance.
A black F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft is displayed inside an aviation museum hangar. The hangar has a high arched ceiling with white beams and skylights. A few other aircraft with visible decals and designs are situated in the background.

ALT A black F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft is displayed inside an aviation museum hangar. The hangar has a high arched ceiling with white beams and skylights. A few other aircraft with visible decals and designs are situated in the background.

A sleek, black F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter jet is parked on a concrete surface in front of a large, closed hangar. The jet's angular design and distinctive shape are prominently visible.

ALT A sleek, black F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter jet is parked on a concrete surface in front of a large, closed hangar. The jet's angular design and distinctive shape are prominently visible.

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The safe, economical, and easy to fly Aeronca C-2 opened an aviation market never before successfully tapped鈥攑rivate aircraft ownership. #OTD in 1929, the first production prototype C-2 made its first flight: s.si.edu/3UbfUN3
An orange and yellow vintage airplane, named the 1931 Curtiss-Wright Junior, is suspended from the ceiling. The aircraft has distinctive yellow wheels and an exposed propeller. The surrounding setting is an indoor exhibition space with a high, metal-structured ceiling.

ALT An orange and yellow vintage airplane, named the 1931 Curtiss-Wright Junior, is suspended from the ceiling. The aircraft has distinctive yellow wheels and an exposed propeller. The surrounding setting is an indoor exhibition space with a high, metal-structured ceiling.

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When Space Shuttle Columbia launched on STS-73 on #TDIH in 1995, it was carrying the US Microgravity Laboratory 2 Spacelab module. USML-2 hosted experiments on fluid physics, biotechnology, and more. You can see that Spacelab module at the Udvar-Hazy Center: s.si.edu/46vysYJ
View from a Space Shuttle in orbit, showing the Earth below with visible landmasses, oceans, and cloud formations. The shuttle's payload bay is open and part of the shuttle structure is visible.

ALT View from a Space Shuttle in orbit, showing the Earth below with visible landmasses, oceans, and cloud formations. The shuttle's payload bay is open and part of the shuttle structure is visible.

A large cylindrical module, covered with a reflective material, is displayed indoors. It is the Harmony module from the International Space Station, mounted on blue supports. Various informational plaques and a monitor are placed nearby.

ALT A large cylindrical module, covered with a reflective material, is displayed indoors. It is the Harmony module from the International Space Station, mounted on blue supports. Various informational plaques and a monitor are placed nearby.

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70 years ago this week, the XH-40 (prototype of the UH-1) flew for the first time. Its success led to the production of the Bell UH-1H Iroquois "Huey," the helicopter that became an indelible symbol of the Vietnam War. Read more about our "Huey" in #ASQ: s.si.edu/4eL4yo6
A military helicopter is displayed in a dimly lit museum setting. The helicopter is positioned on the floor near an informational sign. The background includes another military aircraft partially visible with US Marines markings.

ALT A military helicopter is displayed in a dimly lit museum setting. The helicopter is positioned on the floor near an informational sign. The background includes another military aircraft partially visible with US Marines markings.

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Tag! #OTD in 2020, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft "tagged" the asteroid Bennu, successfully touching down and capturing this view of its descent, six-second tag, and back-away burn. The samples were successfully returned to Earth.
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On this day in 1945, Air Commodore Frank Whittle, inventor of the turbojet engine, flew a jet for the first time. What did he think of the experience? He found the flight "extremely satisfying." Learn more about the Whittle W.1X engine in our collection: s.si.edu/3FpPzQv
A jet engine with multiple cylindrical components arranged in a circular pattern. The engine has a metallic finish with visible rivets and tubing, displayed against a black background.

ALT A jet engine with multiple cylindrical components arranged in a circular pattern. The engine has a metallic finish with visible rivets and tubing, displayed against a black background.

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Pilots, pioneers, and the pursuit of discovery. Check out the latest issue of Air & Space Quarterly, now available to read for free on our website: s.si.edu/4k5H6av
Cover of Air & Space Quarterly Fall 2026 issue featuring a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet in flight. The background is a clear blue sky. Text highlights the jet's final sorties after 41 years in service.

ALT Cover of Air & Space Quarterly Fall 2026 issue featuring a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet in flight. The background is a clear blue sky. Text highlights the jet's final sorties after 41 years in service.

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On this day in 1973, the first Concorde (Concorde 001 or F-WTSS) was retired to display at @MuseeAirEspace at Le Bourget Airport. In this photo from our Museum's Archives, 001 is shown at the Sud Aviation factory in Toulouse, France, in early 1969.
A Concorde aircraft in a hangar under construction, surrounded by scaffolding and various pieces of equipment. The fuselage displays logos that read "BAC - Aviation France - British Aircraft Corporation.

ALT A Concorde aircraft in a hangar under construction, surrounded by scaffolding and various pieces of equipment. The fuselage displays logos that read "BAC - Aviation France - British Aircraft Corporation.

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On this day in 1901, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont flew his dirigible No. 6 around the Eiffel Tower during a flight to win the Deutsch prize, and he did it in less than half an hour. This photo shows an earlier flight in dirigible No. 5.
A vintage photograph depicting the Eiffel Tower with a zeppelin flying closely overhead.

ALT A vintage photograph depicting the Eiffel Tower with a zeppelin flying closely overhead.

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On this day in 1989, Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on the STS-34 mission carrying the Galileo spacecraft into orbit for its interplanetary mission to Jupiter. Galileo was deployed 6.5 hours into the spaceflight.
Concept art of a space shuttle next to a spacecraft in orbit, with the Earth visible in the background.

ALT Concept art of a space shuttle next to a spacecraft in orbit, with the Earth visible in the background.

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On this day in 1967, Soviet probe Venera 4 reached Venus. It was the first spacecraft to measure the atmosphere of another planet.
A cylindrical shaped spacecraft with solar panel that look like wings across its body

ALT A cylindrical shaped spacecraft with solar panel that look like wings across its body

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On this day in 1993, Space Shuttle Columbia launched on STS-58, the second Spacelab Life Sciences mission (SLS-2). The crew conducted regulatory physiology, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuroscience experiments.
Close-up shot of space shuttle launching from the perspective of the launch pad.

ALT Close-up shot of space shuttle launching from the perspective of the launch pad.

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