Aeronautics Division
Archives Division
Center for Earth & Planetary Studies
Collections Division
Space History Division
Publications
Research Fellowships
All Museum Departments

The Department of Collections and Research at the National Air and Space Museum consists of five research and curatorial divisions. Each division participates in the collection of artifacts, research related to the collections, and preparation of museum exhibitions. The Archives Division is responsible for the Museum's document and photographic collections. The Collections Division is concerned with artifact management, restoration, and preservation. The Aeronautics and Space History Divisions conduct historical research related to aviation and space history, and the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies utilizes the results of solar system exploration data in scientific studies of the Earth and other planets.

Research Facilities, Opportunities & Resources

Fellowship Program

Smithsonian Institution fellowships are offered for predoctoral, postdoctoral, and non-academic investigators. Museum fellows work with research staff in the Aeronautics or Space History Divisions, or the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.

National Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

The Archives Division is available to visiting researchers and SI staff. General information and resources for researchers are available online. Researchers can contact Archives staff with inquiries regarding their extensive collection. For information on general library holdings and the online Smithsonian libraries catalog (SIRIS), see the National Air and Space Musuem Branch Library web site.

Regional Planetary Image Facility (RPIF)

The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies is a NASA-supported Regional Planetary Image Facility and is accessible to visiting researchers. Facility information, a list of holdings, and samples images from the collection are available online.

Online Features & Special Resources

Museum staff have prepared numerous online resources of interest to researchers and the general public. Select a department or program from the "Research" menu at the top of this page to locate online resources.