Saying farewell to America’s airborne refueling powerhouse

Celebrate the legacy of the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender— after four decades of air missions, its final chapter is captured in a stunning photo essay. This issue also spotlights the world’s only surviving Aichi M6A1 Seiran, honors Edwin Hubble’s century-old leap into the cosmos, and previews the museum’s new Futures in Space gallery, opening July 28, 2025.

Articles

A large, clear, rectangle-shape display case is filled with numerous artifacts, including space-theme games, toys, T-shirts, and license plates. In front of the case is a panel printed with captions, including this question: Why go to space? Digital renderings of a woman, child, and man are seen looking at and pointing to the display case.

Futures in Space

Read more
A photo montage shows a historical black-and-white astronomical photographic plate from 1923 showing the spiral-armed Andromeda Galaxy (M31) superimposed with portraits of two male astronomers.

How Big is the Universe?

Read more
Photographed against a dark blue background is a studio image of a set of cream-colored ceramic dishware bearing a pattern of star-shapes in blue, yellow, and green. There are several pieces, including a platter, a gravy boat with a ladle, a creamer and sugar bowl, a teacup and saucer, and one place setting: dinner and salad plates, and a soup bowl.

This Space Age Tableware is Now a Museum Collectible

Read more
A close-up, head-on view of the nose and cockpit section of a gray U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft parked in an aircraft boneyard, with mountains in the distant background.

Air Crews Remember the Reliable KC-10 with Affection

Read more
A black-and-white historical photograph from circa 1931 shows Albert Einstein with Edwin Hubble and other astronomers standing on a walkway in front of the large dome of the Mount Wilson Observatory.

Who is the Man That Discovered the Universe?

Read more
A white man in his early 50s is wearing a dark gray suit with a blue shirt and tie. His hands are clasped in front of him. He is standing inside a museum display hangar with several types of military airplanes parked behind him.

How a Military Veteran Became a Museum Professional

Read more

Flip through the virtual magazine.

    A cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine with helicopter flying and a mountainous landscape behind it. The headline reads "Training Day."

    Spring 2026

    A cover of a magazine shows people in the 1920s in dresses and suits standing under an airplane with three propellers. There are suitcases at their feet. The photo has been colorized in a way that signals its old. A text overlay over the top reads "Air & Space Quarterly" and "Carrying a Nation's Dreams."

    Winter 2026

    A magazine cover showing a shiny airplane with the text "Hughes' Muse" evident.

    Fall 2025

    A magazine cover showing a large airplane in the air, with the text "Farewell to a Legned" over top.

    Summer 2025

    The cover of Air & Space Quarterly shows a historic biplane flying over a forest, it's propellor spinning rapidly in a blur.

    Spring 2025

    A magazine cover with a large white plane on it and stardust background.

    Winter 2025

    The cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine with the text "The Salvage Debate" over an image of a submerged aircraft and a diver behind it.

    Fall 2024

    A cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine, featuring the Blue Angels and the text "Dancing on Air."

    Summer 2024

    Two balloons light up against the dawn sky. Text reads "Up, up, and away".

    Spring 2024

    "Last Call Chance at Reno" plane landing with mountains in the back.

    Winter 2024

    A airship flys through the clouds.

    Fall 2023

    Cover of Air and Space Quarterly Summer 2023 Issue

    Summer 2023

    Back Issues
    Three magazine covers featuring an F-4 Phantom and pilot on a runway.

    Enjoying this issue?

    Become a member to receive Air & Space Quarterly in your mailbox!

    Members enjoy a variety of benefits, from special passes to the Museum to early registration to our most popular programs, all while supporting the National Air and Space Museum.

    Become a Member Today