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.

Alan Shepard’s Comeback • From the Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Air & Space

LETTERS

LET US HEAR FROM YOU!

Tell your flying story!

China’s groundbreaking grab-and-go moon mission

A Prodigal Booster Returns • Found in a search for asteroids, an old pal checks in on its way around the sun.

Chuck Yeager, 1923–2020 • CHARLES ELWOOD YEAGER, THE FIRST PILOT TO FLY PAST MACH 1, WAS THE COOLEST OF TEST PILOTS.

Rising Oceans

A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

The Feel of Space

Hypersonic Preview

Orlando Takes the High Road • A FLEET OF AIR TAXIS IS COMING TO CENTRAL FLORIDA BY 2025.

MUSEUM EVENTS

RETURNING IN MARCH

Above It All

THE MOLE ON MARS • DIGGING ON ANOTHER PLANET IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

DESTINATION MOON • THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM’S NEW LOOK AT LUNAR EXPLORATION.

Fifth Man • ALAN SHEPARD’S TWO FLIGHTS, A DECADE APART, SPANNED THE MOST EXCITING ERA IN SPACE HISTORY.

The Real Pioneers • THEN AS NOW, ROBOTS LED THE WAY.

SMART FIGHTER • In an era when software upgrades are critical, the Gripen strives to be the iPhone of aircraft.

WILL YOUR AIRLINER GET HACKED? • MEET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING SURE IT WON’T.

The Disturbing Case of Chris Roberts

How Star Trek Helped NASA Dream Big • AND HOW NASA HELPED STAR TREK STICK AROUND.

FRANKEN PLANE • THESE MONSTER AIRCRAFT WERE NOT BORN. THEY WERE BOLTED TOGETHER FROM WHATEVER LAY AT HAND.

Mastering Mission Control • What it takes to sit in the hot seat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

PREVIEW

CONTRIBUTORS

Bell UH-1H Iroquois • A SINGLE-ENGINE WORKHORSE, THE “HUEY” BECAME A SYMBOL OF THE VIETNAM WAR.