Air & Space Magazine covers the magic of flight and the mystery of space. It’s published by The Smithsonian Institution, whose National Air and Space Museum is the single most popular museum in the world, so we can take you behind the scenes to explore the history, culture, and technology of flight in a way that no one else can. From Burt Rutan’s futuristic designs (37 planes and one spaceship) and what’s next for Mars to why the U-2 spy plane still flies, come and meet the people and celebrate the stories with us. This is a magazine for all who are curious about the great aerospace achievements of the past century and flight’s exciting future. It was created to delight readers with a wealth of detail about their favorite hobby. In more than 25 years of publishing, the magazine has built a reputation for excellence in part by reflecting the grand scope of the Museum, encompassing every era of aviation and space exploration. Your order includes an Air and Space Associate membership in the Smithsonian Institution. Member benefits include Air & Space Magazine, shopping discounts with Smithsonian, and more.

We Are a Space-dwelling Species

Air and Space

LETTERS

LET US HEAR FROM YOU!

Springtime on Mars

Saved by a KC-135 • When a small boat vanished in the Pacific, U.S. forces took to the air and mounted a desperate search.

Volcanoes on Venus

WHAT GOES UP… STAYS UP FOR WEEKS

You May Now Kiss the Captain • WHEN YOUR CO-PILOT IS YOUR SPOUSE, IT CHANGES THINGS. BUT NOT EVERYTHING.

Drones at the Doorstep • THE FIRST TO DELIVER COFFEE, CLOTHES, AND MEDICINE TAKE THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY.

WELCOME BACK!

THE FIGHTER JET THAT FIGHTS FOR BOTH SIDES • WHAT UKRAINIAN AIR FORCE PILOTS SAY ABOUT THEIR RUSSIAN-BUILT SU-27S.

A Forgotten First Flight • TRANSATLANTIC PASSENGER SERVICE AS WE KNOW IT BEGAN ON OCTOBER 23, 1945, A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN OBSCURITY.

THE AIR BATTLES THAT BECAME STAR WARS • BORN ONE YEAR BEFORE THE END OF WORLD WAR II, GEORGE LUCAS TURNED A BOYHOOD FASCINATION INTO A SPACE EPIC.

WORK, FLOAT, EAT, DREAM • LIFE ABOARD THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

20 Years, 116,500 Orbits

ATOMIC ENEMY at the GATE • WITH THE DAWN OF THE ATOMIC AGE CAME A HIGHLY CLASSIFIED OPERATION TO INTERCEPT SMUGGLED NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES AT U.S. AIRPORTS.

SPACEX WANTS TO WIRE THE WORLD • CAN STARLINK OVERCOME THE GHOSTS OF SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS PAST?

7 AIRPLANES THAT (FINALLY) PROVED THEIR METTLE • DID THEY DEFY SKEPTICS, OR JUST OUTLAST THEM?

Who Was Erich Hartmann? • A new book examines the life of the most successful fighter pilot of all time.

Spying From The Sky • BY ROBERT L. RICHARDSON. CASEMATE, 2020. 301 PP., $34.95.

75th Anniversary of World War II Victory

The 4.5 Generation

CONTRIBUTORS

North American F-86 Sabre • AMERICA’S FIRST SWEPT-WING FIGHTER WON THE SKIES OVER NORTH KOREA