America250

The Air & Space Power Story
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to host "America250: The Air & Space Power Story," a year-long short-form podcast series with extensive content highlighting how every U.S. state has contributed to the history and evolution of these domains. Timed with the Nation's 250th anniversary, the series explores iconic places, people, and innovations that have fundamentally shaped airpower and spacepower. This ties to communities across the country. Episodes feature conversations with Mitchell experts, bringing to life national and local stories behind America's air and space advantage.

Submit your ideas for future episodes

Ep. 43

Idaho

This week we visit Idaho! The Gem State hosts the Idaho National Laboratory, which assembles power generation systems for deep-space, planetary, and lunar missions.

Watch Now!

Ep. 42

Washington

This week we are in Washington! The Evergreen State is home to aerospace industry juggernaut, Boeing.

Watch Now!

Ep. 41

Montana

This week we visit North Dakota! During the Cold War, the Roughrider State was a key element facet of America's deterrence architecture.

Watch Now!

Ep. 40

South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore State is home to tremendous air and space power leaders, Ellsworth Air Force Base, as well as NASA Astronauts Charles Gemar and Michael Fossum.

Watch Now!

Ep. 39

North Dakota

This week we visit North Dakota! During the Cold War, the Roughrider State was a key element facet of America's deterrence architecture.

Watch Now!

Ep. 38

Colorado

This week we visit Colorado! The Rocky Mountain state has been incredibly influential to advancing American air and space power.

Watch Now!

Ep. 37

Nebraska

This week we visit Nebraska! The Cornhusker State played a critical role during the Cold War.

Watch Now!

Ep. 36

Nevada

This week we visit Nevada! We discuss the Nevada Space Proving Grounds and Nellis Air Force Base, home of the Air Force and Space Force's Weapons School, the Red Flag Exercises, and the famed Thunderbirds.

Watch Now!

This week we visit West Virginia! Home of Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager and the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, plus Katherine Johnson. 

Watch Now!

Ep. 34

Kansas

This week we visit Kansas! Some of the biggest names in aviation have roots in the Sunflower State, including Clyde Cessna, Walter and Olive Ann Beech, Al Mooney, Clyde Stearman, and Bill Lear. During World War II, Wichita was a key site for Boeing’s production of the PT-17 Stearman and the famed B-29 and these plants still produce aircraft today. On the space side, 4 astronauts come from Kansas, and 15 Kansas suppliers support NASA’s Orion spacecraft.

Watch Now!

Ep. 33

Oregon

This week we visit Oregon! The Beaver State has often served as a training ground for astronauts. When it comes to aviation, the state was home to famed pilot Tex Rankin.

Watch Now!

Ep. 32

Minnesota

This week we visit Minnesota! We discuss Robert Gilruth—the first Director of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center plus famed aviator Charles Lindbergh.

Watch Now!

Ep. 31

California

This week we visit California! From the dawn of aviation to the present day, the Golden State has played an important role innovating new Air and Space technologies.

Watch Now!

Ep. 30

Wisconsin

This week we visit Wisconsin! The Badger State was the home of airpower pioneers and famed astronauts alike, also the location of EAA's massive Airventure airshow in Oshkosh. 

Watch Now!

Ep. 29

Iowa

This week we visit Iowa! Even though it is landlocked, the Hawkeye State played a big role in naval aviation history

Watch Now!
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is the official think tank of the Air & Space Forces Association, 1201 S. Joyce St., C6 / Second Fl., Arlington, Va., 22202. Copyright 2026