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Exhibitions |  Featured: Commercial Aviation, represented by the Boeing S-307 Stratoliner Clipper Flying Cloud, is featured in this month's banner. Several of the aircraft that marked important points in the evolution of air transportation are on display in the Udvar-Hazy Center, including the Boeing 367-80 Dash 80, the prototype for the Boeing 707, America's first commercial jet airliner; and an Air France Concorde, the first commercial supersonic airliner. |
| Feature Story from Air & Space Magazine |  Rescued. Five daring helicopter crews on five very bad days. |
| This Month in Aviation and Space History | |
 Two major events concerning women in space took place in June. Fifty years ago on June 16, 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space, on Vostok 6. Learn more about Tereshkova at an Ask an Expert talk given by curator Cathleen Lewis, Wednesday, June 12 at noon in the Museum in Washington, DC.
 It wasn't until 20 years later on June 18, 1983 that the first American woman launched into space -- Mission specialist Sally Ride on Space Shuttle Challenger. There will be an Ask an Expert talk by curator Valerie Neal titled Sally Ride and the First U.S. Women Astronauts on June 26 at noon in the Museum in Washington, DC.
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| Test your Knowledge | | Who wrote, "I am an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper construction of a flying machine," and to whom did he write it? Answer |
| Sole Survivors and One-of-a-Kinds |  Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm) was a Japanese WWII bomber designed to operate exclusively from a submarine. It was devised to strike targets thousands of miles from Japan. No Seiran ever saw combat. The Aichi Seiran on view at the Udvar-Hazy Center was the last airframe built and the only surviving example in the world. |
| New on the AirSpace Blog | GPS -- A Hollywood Actress, a Player Piano, and Hip Hop, by Space History Department chair Paul Ceruzzi
On Assignment for Time and Navigation, by Ashley Hornish, graphic designer
Sea-Air Operations Gallery, by Aeronautics curator Russ Lee
An Out of This World Program, by manager of onsite learning Michael Hulslander
The Abbreviated History of a Scientist (Namely, Myself), by Michelle Selvans, planetary scientist |
 In Your Neighborhood. The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona has three National Air and Space Museum aircraft on display: the Martin PBM-5A Mariner, an amphibian that is the last intact aircraft of its type in existence; the Nakajima Ki-43-IIb Hayabusa (Oscar), a Japanese WWII all metal monoplane fighter; and the rather ridiculous Pentecost Hoppicopter, left, an attempt at a personal flying machine. |
 The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first U.S. aircraft designed to locate and destroy enemy aircraft at night and in bad weather, a feat made possible by the use of on-board radar. The prototype first flew in 1942. |
 Model of the Soviet Vostok 3KA spacecraft that carried Yuri Gagarin and other Vostok cosmonauts into space in the early 1960s. |
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For more photos, search through the online collections imagery database. |
| Shop the SmithsonianStore.com |  U.S. Fighters Aloha Shirt. This shirt is an authentic salute to sea-based fighting machines. It superimposes inflight images of the TBF Avenger, A6E Intruder, A1 Skyraider, F14 Tomcat, F9F Panther and Phantom F4S over a convoy of U.S. Navy carriers-USS Hornet CV8, USS Yorktown CV5, USS Enterprise CV6, USS Lexington CV2 and USS Midway CV41.
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Spotlight
 Our spotlight event this month is the Udvar-Hazy Center's Become a Pilot Day and Aviation Display on Saturday, June 15, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. See dozens of visiting recreational, vintage, and homebuilt aircraft. Talk to pilots and find out what it takes to fly. Bring the kids inside the Center for hands-on activities and story times. New this year are indoor and outdoor kite flying demonstrations. Admission is free; parking is $15. This event is made possibile by the generous support of Booz Allen Hamilton; AFCEA International and the Washington Metro Chapters; and these other sponsors. |
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Explore the Universe Day: Everyone Looks Up!
Saturday, June 1, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free, no tickets required
The Heritage Family Day Series is sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation. |
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Lecture
Your Ticket to the Universe -- A Guide to Exploring the Cosmos
Presenters: Kimberly Arcand and Megan Watzke
Saturday, June 1, 7:30 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free, tickets required |
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Telescopic Observing
Stargazing at the Public Observatory
Thursday, June 1, 9:00 to 10:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free, no tickets required
Weather dependent |
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Annual John H. Glenn Lecture
Space Exploration from Mercury to the Space Shuttle
Presenters: Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret.) and Senator John H. Glenn
Thursday, June 6, 8:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free. This event is sold out, but if you come to the Museum before the lecture, you might get in.
This event is made possible by the generous support of The Boeing Company. |
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Exploring Space Lecture
50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries
Presenter: James L. Green
Thursday, June 13, 8:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free, tickets required
The Exploring Space Lectures Series is made possible by the generous support of NASA, with additional support provided by Aerojet. |
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Telescopic Observing
Stargazing at the Public Observatory
Thursday, June 13, 9:00 to 10:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Free, no tickets required
Weather dependent |
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New! Outdoor Concert Series
Music at the Museum: Summer Band Concerts
Every fourth Sunday through August
This month: Sunday, June 23, 6:00 pm
Performing: The U.S. Army Field Band Chamber Brass
At the Udvar-Hazy Center
Free, no tickets required; Parking is free after 4:00 pm
The summer band concert series is made possible by the generous support of The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation. |
| Super Science Saturdays
At the Udvar-Hazy Center
Every second Saturday. This month: June 8; Topic: Energy
This series is made possible by the generous support of FBR.
Telescopic Observing
Saturday Star Parties at Sky Meadows State Park
Variable schedule. This month: Saturday, June 8, 8:00 to 11:00 pm
Sky Meadows State Park near Paris, Virginia
"Flights of Fancy" Stories for Children
Both locations
Variable schedule
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Ask an Expert Lectures
Both locations
Wednesday, Noon, at the Museum in Washington, DC
Second and fourth Thursdays, 12:30, at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Author Book Signings
Both locations
Variable schedule
Public Observatory
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Wednesdays through Sundays from Noon to 3:00 pm, weather permitting; see special nighttime viewings under "Events and Activities" above.
Imax Movies
Both locations
Variable titles, schedules, and prices
Albert Einstein Planetarium
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Variable titles and schedules; some shows are free |
| One Museum, Two Locations |
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 On the National Mall
6th & Independence SW
Washington, D.C.
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 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Pkwy.
Chantilly, Virginia
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Both locations are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except December 25. See the schedule for extended summer hours through September 2. Admission is free. Udvar-Hazy Center parking: $15, free after 4:00 p.m.
For information call (202) 633-1000.
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