Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

IRAS: A Telescope in a Bottle

See a full-scale replica of an Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), a space-based telescope that detects infrared or heat radiation from distant objects in the cosmos.

January 1, 1987 – October 1, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Stars

Visit a gallery that demonstrates what we have learned about radiant energy from the sun and other stars through the use of space astronomy satellites.

June 9, 1983 – October 1, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Women and Flight

Take in 75 black-and-white photographs of 37 women currently involved in aviation and space exploration by staff photographer Carolyn J. Russo.

June 14, 1997 – September 12, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Star Wars

Visit C-3PO, R2-D2 and an Imperial stormtrooper from Star Wars, along with several production paintings from the movie.

November 16, 1996 – July 13, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Trust But Verify/Do Veri, No Pro Veri

See the Trust But Verify/Do Veri, No Pro Veri explains the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

June 20, 1990 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

America's Space Truck: The Space Shuttle

Trace the history of the space shuttle program's 24 missions through photographs and models.

July 2, 1987 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)

See a full-scale model of this state-of-the-art tracking satellite, which has provided support to the space shuttle, Spacelab, and Landsat.

November 1, 1986 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

INF Treaty Compliance

See a U.S. Pershing II missile and a Soviet SS-20 missile, examples of the weapons banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

June 20, 1990 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Spacelab Pallet

See a reusable cargo container designed for use in a joint NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) laboratory project planned for the mid-1980s.

June 1, 1980 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Ariane and Arianespace: International Launch Resources

See a model of the European Space Agency's Ariane rocket, an expendable launch vehicle that has placed into orbit satellites for weather, observation, communications, and space science.

September 8, 1986 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Space Hall

See space boosters, guided missiles, and manned spacecraft in this gallery.

July 1, 1976 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

Expendable Launch Vehicles

Explore the role of the single-use launch vehicle in this exhibit of models and photographs, including the Ariane, an Atlas Centaur, and a Delta Rocket.

July 18, 1984 – May 15, 1997

Air and Space Museum

The Violent Universe

Marvel at the work of NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, an orbiting telescope studying gamma rays emitted by supernovae, pulsars, black holes, and quasars.

February 29, 1996 – October 30, 1996

Air and Space Museum

Air Power in World War II: The Grumman F6F Hellcat

See an F6F-5, one of the carrier-based fighter planes of World War II that was responsible for almost 75% of the U.S. Navy's air victories during the war in the Pacific.

April 19, 1995 – April 2, 1996

Air and Space Museum

Flights of Fancy: Photographs by Jacques-Henri Lartigue, 1904-1922

Relive early aviation in France in 84 photos by Jacques-Henri Lartigue.

September 30, 1995 – March 3, 1996

Air and Space Museum

Building the Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Photographs from the NASM Archives

Recall the efforts on the WWII home front of both military personnel and civilians working to support those on the front lines and make America the "Arsenal of Democracy".

March 30, 1995 – October 2, 1995

Air and Space Museum

Flight Time Barbie: Dolls from the Popular Culture Collection of the National Air and Space Museum

Trace the history of Barbie from American Airlines stewardess in 1961 through astronaut in 1994 in this exhibit of 56 space- and aviation-related toys.

June 9, 1995 – September 4, 1995

Air and Space Museum

Aerial Inspirations: Silk Batiks by Mary Edna Fraser

Admire 50 of Mary Edna Fraser's large-scale, silk batik art works, which demonstrate the interplay of water, land, and sky patterns. Images are based on her own aerial photography as well as satellite images.

September 9, 1994 – June 4, 1995

Air and Space Museum

Air Traffic Control in the U.S.: The First 50 Years

Examine the past, present, and future of air traffic control in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of air traffic control in the U.S.

July 6, 1986 – June 1, 1995

Air and Space Museum

Patty Wagstaff: National Aerobatic Champion

Honor the career of Patty Wagstaff, 1st woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship in 1991, and again in 1992 and 1993, in her aircraft the Extra 260.

March 11, 1994 – March 31, 1995

Air and Space Museum

Air Power in World War II: The Arado 243B "Blitz"

See the German-built aircraft Arado, the 1st operational jet bomber.

October 26, 1993 – August 30, 1994

Air and Space Museum

Monitoring Amazonia from Space

Observe ground photography and Landsat satellite imagery that demonstrates the development and degradation of the Amazon, one of the world's most complex and diverse ecosystems.

October 8, 1993 – May 11, 1994

Air and Space Museum

"Blueprint for Space" from Collier's Magazine

Picture the vision of space flight, as seen in a 1950s Collier's magazine series that explored the collaborative efforts between artists and scientists.

May 5, 1993 – April 30, 1994

Air and Space Museum

Air Power in World War II: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Visit the 1st in a series of exhibitions on air power in World War II, each highlighting a particular aircraft.

May 20, 1992 – September 6, 1993

Air and Space Museum

Star Trek

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the debut of the television show Star Trek, this exhibition addresses the social, political, and cultural issues and themes raised in the series.

February 28, 1992 – January 31, 1993

Air and Space Museum