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National Security Space

Air and Space Museum

During the Cold Wars, the United States and USSR looked toward space for ways to spy on one another for the purposes of maintaining National Security and technological superiority. This group of objects represent some of the early advances in space-based reconnaissance during the Space Race.


  • National Air and Space Museum 83 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Uncrewed spacecraft 43 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Instruments 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Payloads 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographic equipment 20 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Components (objects) 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Models 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Crewed spacecraft 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Testing equipment 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Rockets 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Equipment 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States of America 83 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Air and Space Museum Collection 83 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA 26 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • James S. McDonnell Space Hangar 23 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Rockets & Missiles 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Outer space 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Spaceflight 41 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photography 20 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Human spaceflight 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • War 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Aeronautics 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 80 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Core, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Shell, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Recorder, Tape Recorder, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Dye Marker, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Battery, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Transponder, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Junction Box, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Instrument, Reentry Capsule, Datasphere

Biocapsule, Primate

Cradle, Primate

Rectangular foil-covered box-shaped Primate Biocapsule container connected to large metal plate

Biocapsule, Primate

Opened metal cylindrical Primate Cradle with sponge rubber inside and "Original Baker Cradle" label

Cradle, Primate

Reentry Capsule, Satellite, Discoverer XIII

Reentry Capsule Parachute, Satellite, Discoverer XIII

Reentry Capsule, Cover and Screws/Bolts, Satellite, Discoverer XIII

Camera, Rocket-Borne

Satellite, Tanks, Propellant Storage, Agena

Model, Wind Tunnel, X-20 Dyna-Soar

Infrared sensor with black and white checkered cone with a ring mount.

Sensor, Infrared, Series III, Missile Defense Alarm System

Model, Manned Orbiting Laboratory, 1:30

Tank, Helium, Agena-D, Reentered

Horizon Sensor, Satellite, Agena

Model, Space Plane, Wind Tunnel, X-20 Dyna-Soar

Tank, Propellant, Spacecraft, Agena

Monkey, Able

Model, Manned Orbiting Laboratory, 1:48

Missile, Anti-Missile, Homing Overlay Experiment, (HOE)

Missile, Air-Launched, Anti-Satellite (ASAT)

Pylon, Missile, ASAT

Model, Dyna-soar X-20

Sensor, Infrared, Series I, Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS)

Aircraft, X-15m Q-Ball, Nosecone

Camera, Corona, KH-4B

Reentry Capsule, Film Return, Corona

Model, Corona Film Return System


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