@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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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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On this day in 1963, a cat named F茅licette became a feline space traveler when she launched into space on a mission conducted by the French space program. The spaceflight, which F茅licette survived, was suborbital and lasted less than 15 minutes.
Black and white image of a cat鈥檚 face photographed against a white backdrop. There is cursive writing on the photo and a paw print.

ALT Black and white image of a cat鈥檚 face photographed against a white backdrop. There is cursive writing on the photo and a paw print.

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Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders was born on this day in 1933. He was part of the first crew to orbit the Moon. Anders also took the iconic Earthrise image showing Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface. We reflect on his legacy: s.si.edu/4zBcUbZ
Official portrait of an astronaut from NASA, holding a model of a space capsule, with a backdrop of the United States flag and a NASA flag.

ALT Official portrait of an astronaut from NASA, holding a model of a space capsule, with a backdrop of the United States flag and a NASA flag.

Astronaut adjusting a skullcap, wearing a spacesuit with a name tag that reads "ANDERS" and an American flag patch on the arm.

ALT Astronaut adjusting a skullcap, wearing a spacesuit with a name tag that reads "ANDERS" and an American flag patch on the arm.

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On this day in 1974, the Sikorsky YUH-60A flew for the first time. It was a prototype for the UH-60 Black Hawk, which entered service with the US Army in 1979.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flying in the sky with its doors open.

ALT A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flying in the sky with its doors open.

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On this day in 1969, Soyuz 7 returned to Earth with cosmonauts Anatoly Filipchenko, Vladislav Volkov, and Viktor Gorbatko. Their spacecraft's call sign was Buran. The same name would later be used for the Soviet space shuttle.
Soviet postage stamp from 1969 featuring portraits of three cosmonauts with a background of a space rocket launch.

ALT Soviet postage stamp from 1969 featuring portraits of three cosmonauts with a background of a space rocket launch.

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Throwback to 1925 when this fashionable picture of NACA test pilot Paul King was taken. Wearing a fur-lined leather flying suit and oxygen mask, he's prepared to take off in the Vought VE-7 behind him.
Pilot in vintage flight gear standing in front of a biplane.

ALT Pilot in vintage flight gear standing in front of a biplane.

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Happy birthday to Mae Jemison! 馃巶馃巿 While aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, Dr. Jemison became the first African American woman to go to space. Later, she also became the first astronaut to appear on Star Trek!
Astronaut floating inside the International Space Station, wearing a blue jumpsuit with a NASA patch, surrounded by scientific equipment.

ALT Astronaut floating inside the International Space Station, wearing a blue jumpsuit with a NASA patch, surrounded by scientific equipment.

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5 years ago today, NASA's #LucyMission launched on an Atlas V rocket on a journey to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. Through its discoveries, Lucy aims to revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system.
A rocket launch at night from a launchpad, with bright flames and smoke visible as the rocket ascends, flanked by tall gantry structures.

ALT A rocket launch at night from a launchpad, with bright flames and smoke visible as the rocket ascends, flanked by tall gantry structures.

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Look familiar? This is what our still-being-built Museum on the National Mall looked like #OTD in 1973.
A black and white photo of the National Air and Space Museum under construction. The building is partially complete, showing its steel framework. Cranes are visible and various construction vehicles and materials surround the site. Nearby is the Jefferson Memorial.

ALT A black and white photo of the National Air and Space Museum under construction. The building is partially complete, showing its steel framework. Cranes are visible and various construction vehicles and materials surround the site. Nearby is the Jefferson Memorial.

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On #TDIH 1982, Caltech astronomers photographed the returning Halley's Comet when it was still beyond Saturn's orbit and more than 960 million miles from the Sun.
An showcasing a dense cluster of distant celestial objects and galaxies on a grainy background. The objects vary in size and intensity, with one centrally highlighted by a small circle.

ALT An showcasing a dense cluster of distant celestial objects and galaxies on a grainy background. The objects vary in size and intensity, with one centrally highlighted by a small circle.

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On this week in 1938, the Curtiss XP-40 Warhawk prototype made its first flight. A P-40E is on display at our Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA: s.si.edu/4dE6fp4
A vintage yellow aircraft, marked with a star emblem, is on display indoors. The plane features a distinctive painted shark mouth design. The setting is a museum exhibit with subdued lighting.

ALT A vintage yellow aircraft, marked with a star emblem, is on display indoors. The plane features a distinctive painted shark mouth design. The setting is a museum exhibit with subdued lighting.

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Discovery's debut 馃摳 On #TDIH in 1983, Space Shuttle Discovery's rollout ceremony was held at Rockwell International's Palmdale facility. The crew of Discovery's upcoming first mission, STS-41D, were in attendance, along with other officials and dignitaries.
A space shuttle is displayed outdoors on a tarmac, with a large audience seated and standing nearby. A stage with a podium and several people seated is set up in front of the shuttle. American flags are visible in the scene, indicating a formal event or ceremony.

ALT A space shuttle is displayed outdoors on a tarmac, with a large audience seated and standing nearby. A stage with a podium and several people seated is set up in front of the shuttle. American flags are visible in the scene, indicating a formal event or ceremony.

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Scientist, engineer, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space. Explore how she made history aboard Space Shuttle Discovery鈥攁nd beyond: s.si.edu/36NAABL #HispanicHeritageMonth
Portrait of astronaut Ellen Ochoa in a NASA blue flight suit, with a backdrop of the American flag and a Space Shuttle.

ALT Portrait of astronaut Ellen Ochoa in a NASA blue flight suit, with a backdrop of the American flag and a Space Shuttle.

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On this day in 1910, a stowaway cat named Kiddo became the first feline to attempt to cross the Atlantic in an airship (don't worry, he survived). His eventual howling led to one of the first radio communications from an aircraft in flight: "Roy, come and get this ---damn cat."
A man in a smart suit and bowler hat holds a cat in a very stoic way. The image, from 1911, has an very old-fashioned feel to it.

ALT A man in a smart suit and bowler hat holds a cat in a very stoic way. The image, from 1911, has an very old-fashioned feel to it.

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On this day in 1997, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft launched to Saturn on a Titan IV-B rocket. Explore stunning photos Cassini took of the ringed planet 馃獝 and its moons during its two-decade-long mission: s.si.edu/379g5xB
Photo of Saturn in darkness with its rings glowing prominently.

ALT Photo of Saturn in darkness with its rings glowing prominently.

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