Each year, more than 650,000 flight enthusiasts and professionals – including NASA’s aeronautical innovators – descend upon Oshkosh, Wisconsin for one of the largest aviation events in the world.
Each year, more than 650,000 flight enthusiasts and professionals – including NASA’s aeronautical innovators – descend upon Oshkosh, Wisconsin for one of the largest aviation events in the world.
Held by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is an annual airshow and fly-in, which means that hundreds of pilots arrive in their own aircraft and often camp under their wings. Industry-leading organizations and businesses from all around the planet, big or small, set up shop and engage with the public.
Each year, NASA Aeronautics leads the agency’s participation at Oshkosh in numerous and diverse ways including a full slate of interactive exhibits, informative activities, and fascinating people to meet – pilots, engineers, or maybe even astronauts!
At Oshkosh, state-of-the-art aeronautical technology from the past, present, and even concepts for the future are showcased, and esteemed public figures in aviation and aeronautics are there to shake hands. When everyone with that same passion gathers, the spirit of flight is infectious.
Here’s how Oshkosh attendees can interact with NASA this year:
The NASA Pavilion
The NASA Pavilion, located at Aviation Gateway Park, is a nearly 7,000-square-foot indoor exhibition space. The pavilion hosts exhibits on NASA’s leading-edge flight activities including sustainable aviation, Advanced Air Mobility, and Quesst, as well as space-related content about Artemis.
The NASA Pavilion will be open Monday-Saturday, July 24-29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NASA Aircraft on Display
NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft will be on display at the Boeing Plaza. On the night of Wednesday, July 26, the aircraft will be located on Celebration Way, where it will serve as the backdrop for a nighttime fireworks show. The Super Guppy will depart Oshkosh on the morning of Thursday, July 27.
NASA’s LC-40 research aircraft will be on display in front of the NASA Pavilion. The aircraft has been used for a variety of research activities. The display area will be staffed by the aircraft’s crew and other NASA personnel.
Presentations
Multiple talks, panels, and presentations from NASA’s subject matter experts are scheduled at Oshkosh. For example, on Monday, July 24, at 8 p.m., NASA and the EAA will present “NASA: The Next Bold Step”, at the Theater in the Woods. This special programming will look back in time at the Apollo program and to the future with Artemis, and will feature astronauts, engineers, program managers, and others.
NASA will participate in more than a dozen panel sessions throughout the week at the Forums Plaza. The full NASA forum schedule can be found on EAA’s website.
STEM Activities and Demonstrations
The NASA Pavilion’s STEM Zone will have interactive activities and demonstrations. You can even sign up for our Flight Log experience and earn an endorsement for attending Oshkosh. NASA will also will have materials available for educators. NASA’s Exploration and In-Space Services Projects Division and Robotics Alliance Project will be at Kidventure, located in the EAA Aviation Museum. The exhibit will include hands-on STEM activities and an opportunity to tour the NASA Robotics Alliance machine shop. The exhibit will be open Monday to Friday, July 24-28, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NASA will also participate at the AeroEducate Center with activities intended for middle- and high-school aged youth. More NASA’s activities are available on the event schedule or download EAA’s app.
Additionally, follow along on social media via @NASAAero on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook where we will provide event coverage. Keep an eye out using the hashtag #OSH23, and if you’re there, share your experiences with others.
