Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum

Mission Statement

The National Air and Space Museum is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and display of artifacts and technology that chronicle the development of aviation and space exploration. NASM maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a center for public education, research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, and original scientific research about planetary science, terrestrial geophysics, and the remote sensing of environmental change. With nearly 10 million visitors a year, it is considered the most visited museum in the world. The museum continues to develop new exhibits to examine the impact of air and space technology on science and society.