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.
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.
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Submit your ideas for future episodes
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.
Ep. 38
Colorado
This week we visit Colorado! The Rocky Mountain state has been incredibly influential to advancing American air and space power.
Ep. 37
Nebraska
This week we visit Nebraska! The Cornhusker State played a critical role during the Cold War.
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.
Ep. 35
West Virginia
This week we visit West Virginia! Home of Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager and the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, plus Katherine Johnson.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ep. 29
Iowa
This week we visit Iowa! Even though it is landlocked, the Hawkeye State played a big role in naval aviation history
Ep. 28
Texas
This week we visit Texas! The Lone Star State has played a huge role in advancing American airpower and spacepower.
Ep. 27
Florida
This week we visit Florida! Home of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, plus Pan Am and redefining the notion of air travel.
Ep. 26
Michigan
This week we visit Michigan! The Great Lakes State—famous for being a center of automobile manufacturing—was also an important hub...