Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Space: A Journey to Our Future

See artifacts, along with mechanical and computer interactives, that highlight current projects in space exploration.

June 14, 2008 – January 12, 2009

In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight

Discern the details of the often overlooked "simple beauty" of aircraft and spacecraft design in 56 color photographs by museum photographer Carolyn Russo.

March 21, 2008 – January 2, 2009

Air and Space Museum

Treasures of American History

While the American History Museum is closed for renovation (Sept. 5, 2006-fall 2008), see more than 150 highlights from the museum here.

November 17, 2006 – April 12, 2008

Air and Space Museum

Rocketry and Space Flight

Explore two key technologies that have made spaceflight possible: rockets and space suits.

July 1, 1976 – February 16, 2008

Air and Space Museum

Fly Now! The Poster Collection of the National Air and Space Museum

Enjoy reproductions of almost 24 aviation posters from the museum's extensive collection.

June 1, 2007 – August 31, 2007

Air and Space Museum

Earth from Space

See precise, up-to-date images captured by high-tech satellites, used by geologists, meteorologists, and other scientists to study how the Earth changes from day to day and year to year.

November 11, 2006 – January 7, 2007

Air and Space Museum

Generous Friends: Building an Art Collection for the National Air and Space Museum

Discover 72 artworks that provide a visual history of the people and events associated with the development of powered flight and space exploration.

October 8, 2004 – August 25, 2006

Air and Space Museum

Air Transportation

Follow the evolution of air transportation of people, mail, and cargo in this exhibit of early aircraft.

July 1, 1976 – January 9, 2006

Air and Space Museum

Aircraft Models

In several cases, see a selection of several hobby model airplanes, ranging from balsa wood to expensive models that require hours of meticulous work.

January 27, 2000 – May 24, 2005

Air and Space Museum

Aerobatic Champions

See 2 planes flown in world championship aerobatic competitions.

October 4, 2001 – April 17, 2003

Air and Space Museum

At the Controls: The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Looks at Cockpits

At the Controls gives visitors an opportunity to view images of the cockpits of a number of the aircraft and spacecraft in the National Air and Space Museum collections.

May 11, 2002 – September 22, 2002

Air and Space Museum

Where Next, Columbus?

Examine the motives and methods of past and present space exploration, as well as the options and possibilities for the future.

December 12, 1992 – March 4, 2002

Air and Space Museum

Explore the Universe Preview

See the backup mirror for the Hubble Space Telescope and illustrations depicting the future exhibition Explore the Universe.

December 22, 2000 – April 1, 2001

Air and Space Museum

Breitling Orbiter 3 Balloon

Marvel at the gondola from the Breitling Orbiter 3, the1st balloon to fly around the world nonstop.

September 23, 1999 – November 6, 2000

Air and Space Museum

R.G. Smith: The "Old Master" of the Sky

Admire 25 artworks by Robert Grant "R.G." Smith, regarded by many as the American master painter of the history of flight.

March 24, 2000 – September 5, 2000

Air and Space Museum

Business Wings

Learn the history of business aviation from open-cockpit biplanes used after World War I to the Lear jet.

June 12, 1998 – July 17, 2000

Air and Space Museum

Looping the Loop: Posters of Early Flight

To honor the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' great accomplishment, more than 30 posters chronicle modern aviation from its earliest inception of balloons and dirigibles to mono- and biplanes.

April 29, 2000 – July 9, 2000

Air and Space Museum

Earth Today: A Digital View of Our Dynamic Planet

Witness a nearly-instant portrait of Earth projected on a 10-foot screen from information received from orbiting satellites and global monitoring networks.

July 2, 1998 – May 25, 2000

Air and Space Museum

The Soviet Challenge in Space: Illustrating the Threat

View 12 illustrations of space craft and missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency's Military Art Collection.

June 23, 1999 – December 31, 1999

Air and Space Museum

Star Wars: The Magic of Myth

See original props, models, costumes, characters, and artwork from the Star Wars trilogy that are used to compare elements of the films to elements of mythology, following a classic mythological "hero's journey."

October 31, 1997 – January 31, 1999

Air and Space Museum

Arriba! The History of Flight in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean

View 35 photographs and 8 models chronicle the development of aviation in Latin America.

August 31, 1998 – November 30, 1998

Air and Space Museum

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board)

Note the work of the NTSB, which has investigated approximately 70,000 aviation accidents since it was founded in 1967.

December 3, 1997 – June 3, 1998

Air and Space Museum

The Enola Gay

See an exhibition, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, that tells the story of the role of the Enola Gay in securing Japanese surrender.

June 28, 1995 – May 17, 1998

Air and Space Museum

TWA (Corporate Sponsor of America's Smithsonian)

Observe TWA's exhibition showcasing the past, present, and future of airline transportation.

March 1, 1998 – April 12, 1998

Air and Space Museum

Aircraft Models Celebrating the U. S. Air Force 50th Anniversary

On view are 39 models of Air Force aircraft from 1947 to the present.

November 22, 1996 – December 8, 1997

Air and Space Museum