America 250: The Air & Space Power Story

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
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America 250: The Air & Space Power Story explores how every U.S. state has helped shape America’s air and space power. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this series travels state by state, following the order they joined the Union to spotlight one defining, tangible connection to airpower or spacepower in each community. From historic sites and aircraft to launch facilities and innovation hubs, we uncover the people, places, and stories that form a collective tapestry of service, innovation, and sacrifice. Over 50 weeks, we tell the story of American air and space power, one state at a time.

  1. 1d ago

    Iowa | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 29

    This week we visit Iowa! Even though it is landlocked, the Hawkeye State played a big role in naval aviation history. It was the home of Eugene Ely, an early naval aviation pioneer who was the first pilot to takeoff and land from the deck of a ship. Iowa was also the home of Naval Air Station Ottumwa, which graduated 4,626 Navy pilots during World War II. On the space side, seven astronauts come from Iowa including Dr. Laurel Clark, Loren Shriver, and Peggy Whitson.

  2. Jul 15

    Texas | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 28

    This week we visit Texas! The Lone Star State has played a huge role in advancing American airpower and spacepower. It is a long-standing center for airmen training, going all the way back to World War I, and Texans have built numerous Air Force aircraft--including the B-24, P-51, B-36, F-111, F-16, CV-22, and F-35. On the space side, Houston is the home of Johnson Space Center, which is the home for mission control for numerous NASA missions. It also houses one of the best space museums in the nation.

  3. Jul 8

    Florida | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 27

    This week we visit Florida! Famous for being the home of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, Florida’s Space Coast was the launch site of numerous missions, including the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. NASA’s Artemis missions and the Space Force continue to use Florida’s launch facilities. On the air side, Pan Am launched operations in Key West during 1927 and would go on to redefine the notion of air travel--literally opening up vast sections of the world thanks to the reach afforded by air.

  4. Jul 1

    Michigan | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 26

    This week we visit Michigan! The Great Lakes State—famous for being a center of automobile manufacturing—was also an important hub of aircraft production during World War II. The Ford Motor Company built B-24 Liberators at their Willow Run plant, producing a bomber every hour at its peak in 1944. On the space side, the Michigan Ordnance Missile Plant was a production site for Redstone rockets. The state is also the home of 13 astronauts, including Christina Koch, who was part of the Artemis II crew and became the first woman to leave Earth orbit.

  5. Jun 24

    Arkansas | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 25

    This week we visit Arkansas! The “Natural State” was the home of Louise Thaden, a pioneering female aviator who set multiple flying records, including the women’s altitude record in 1928, plus records for speed and endurance in 1929. Those flying into Bentonville, AR will take off and land at Thaden Field. On the space side, Arkansas suppliers provide important components for NASA’s Artemis program.

  6. Jun 17

    Missouri | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 24

    This week we visit Missouri! The "Show Me State" is a long-standing center of air and space power industrial production. The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation—founded in St Louis during 1939—built the Mercury and Gemini capsules for NASA, as well as iconic aircraft like the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle. This production facility is alive and well as part of Boeing.

  7. Jun 10

    Maine | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 23

    This week we visit Maine! Learn about astronauts Charles Hobaugh and Dr. Jessica Meir and the "Vacationland's" contributions to the Artemis program. On the air side, we delve into the state's role in helping form the Civil Air Patrol on the eve of World War II, plus the group's role helping secure the eastern coastline during the conflict.   To learn more, please visit these websites: Civil Air Patrol History Civil Air Patrol: A Story of Unique Service and Selfless Sacrifice Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum Charles Hobaugh Dr. Jessica Meir NASA’s Moonbound Artemis II Rocket Reaches Launch Pad Maine suppliers for NASA’s Artemis program The Mitchell Institute is a supporting partner of America250

  8. Jun 3

    Alabama | America 250: Air and Space Power Story — Ep. 22

    This week we visit Alabama! Learn about the incredible contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought a dual war against both discrimination and Axis forces during World War II. Alabama is also home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, which provides vital propulsion systems and hardware for NASA’s space programs.   To learn more, please visit these websites: New Home for U.S. Space Command U.S. Space & Rocket Center U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site The Tuskegee Airmen: Training and Stateside Experiences (Teaching with Historic Places) Red Tails, The Tuskegee Airmen in Photos Red Tail F-35's Unveiled

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America 250: The Air & Space Power Story explores how every U.S. state has helped shape America’s air and space power. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this series travels state by state, following the order they joined the Union to spotlight one defining, tangible connection to airpower or spacepower in each community. From historic sites and aircraft to launch facilities and innovation hubs, we uncover the people, places, and stories that form a collective tapestry of service, innovation, and sacrifice. Over 50 weeks, we tell the story of American air and space power, one state at a time.

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