CURRENT ISSUE
November 2015
Features
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/fc/6d/fc6d6e3b-8f54-4d77-a825-8cae4822bce8/15l_on2015_phantomswiftdarpavxpsourceboeing_live.jpg)
The Next X-Plane
Who will win the competition to build an airplane that can fly fast and hover?
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/19/ff/19ffa76c-cb26-4dd0-87f4-fd64d7f2e9d4/02d_on2015_wrightpan3_live.jpg)
Airplanes Seeking Good Home
A one-of-a-kind collection of scratch-built Wright aircraft is up for sale.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/2c/09/2c09f1f7-a812-4fda-9dd0-32abc34c30c5/06b_on2015_loonnewzealandpretty_live.jpg)
A Truly World-Wide Web
How aerial tech is bringing the Internet to everyone everywhere.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/45/73/45738874-5ab4-4344-b2f2-8e9beec03dd8/04l_on2015_b34p1782_live.jpg)
Meet the Howards
The respectable side of the family, descended from a raceplane.
:focal(1371x1028:1372x1029)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/cd/ad/cdada760-6090-4609-a3bc-58542e5cf5a5/04e_on2015_img_0431hw4_live.jpg)
Wingman
Wooden components, made by hand.
:focal(1040x740:1041x741)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/50/75/5075a692-4cf7-4282-8e6b-5ed6ef2b7624/13b_on2015_mavena_live.jpg)
"Hi! I'm from Earth!"
When sending spacecraft, it's customary to include a note.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/52/9b/529b39e1-bb76-4525-84b2-6f9c6220a859/01g_on2015_stockholm_fpo.jpg)
Towers
In a new book and exhibition, photographer Carolyn Russo transforms the ordinary into art.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/79/47/79475eda-279f-47ea-b005-df650901f57a/14f_on2015_mappingsoftwareb_live-web-resize-v2.jpg)
Space Nerds
When troops need satellite info in a hurry, they contact the 117th.
:focal(1141x543:1142x544)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/78/4d/784d4d11-c09b-4120-966a-96fb5543b915/11x_on2015_f8crusader3_live.jpg)
Gunfighters
On its 60th anniversary, pilots remember the Vought F-8 Crusader.
Departments
NASA Nosedives for Your Safety
The best way to test an emergency beacon is to set one off.
A&S Interview: Robert M. Farley
Author of "Grounded: The Case for Abolishing the United States Air Force"
World of Waterfowl
Bill Sweetman's observations from the front lines of aerospace.
Astronomical Beauty
A new book by Ron Miller shows why space art is worth collecting.