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  • Vought ASM-135A Anti-Satellite Missile

    The ASM-135A anti-satellite missile (ASAT) was the only U.S. air-launched missile ever to destroy a satellite. In the late 1970s, the U.S. anticipated Soviet development of “killer satellites” that could destroy vital U.S. reconnaissance and communication satellites. The anti-satellite missile

  • Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer

    The Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer 1 (CCT-1) is one of three shuttle mockups used to train shuttle astronauts. In CCT-1, crewmembers learned and practiced many procedures for space missions.CCT-1 is an important piece of space history. NASA trained astronauts in it from the first shuttle

  • Boeing X-40A

    The unmanned, unpowered Boeing X-40A was the first-phase flight test vehicle for the U.S. Air Force’s Space Maneuver Vehicle program that began in the late 1990s. The program aimed to develop small, reusable, highly maneuverable spacecraft for deploying satellites and conducting surveillance and

  • Martin X-24B

    The X-24B aircraft showed that a “lifting body” could glide through the atmosphere and make a precise landing on a runway like an airplane. A lifting body is a fixed-wing air or spacecraft in which the body itself produces lift. X-24 studies supported space shuttle development in the early 1970s.

  • Martin X-24A

    This aircraft represents the Martin (now Lockheed Martin) X-24A, which the U.S. Air Force and NASA flew to study flight characteristics and maneuverability of “lifting bodies.” A lifting body is a fixed-wing air or spacecraft -- such as the space shuttle -- in which the body itself produces lift.

  • North American X-15A-2

    Hypersonic Research AircraftThe X-15 is a famous and significant part of aviation history. Its purpose was to fly high and fast, testing the machine and subjecting pilots to conditions that future astronauts would face. It made the first manned flights to the edges of space and was the world’s first

  • Fairchild C-119J Flying Boxcar

    Satellite CatcherThis C-119J Flying Boxcar made the world’s first mid-air recovery of an object returning from space. In August 1960, it caught the Discoverer XIV satellite using recovery gear lowered from the open rear door. This mechanism snagged the satellite’s parachute, and a winch slowly

  • Eddie Rickenbacker Dog Tag

    Note: This item is currently in storage.Commander of the "Hat-in-Ring" 94th Aero Squadron, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker was a World War I American fighter ace. He had the most aerial victories of all American fighter pilots during the war with 26. He also is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of

  • John Tynan’s Close Call

    Note: This item is currently in storage.On May 26, 1917, the 1st Reserve Aero Squadron was formed, becoming the nation’s first air reserve unit. Among its earliest members was Private John E. Tynan, who deployed with the squadron to Issoudun, France, in September 1917. While there, the squadron was

  • Lafayette Escadrille Pilot Watch

    Note: This item is currently in storage.This item (in its complete state with watchband) was worn by four members of the Lafayette Escadrille: Norman Prince, Kiffin Yates Rockwell, Gervais Raoul Lufbery and Charles H. Dolan Jr.The Lafayette Escadrille was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette