Each summer, more than half a million aviation enthusiasts and experts from around the planet descend into a regional airport near Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend the world’s largest airshow and fly-in – including NASA’s aeronautical innovators.
This year, opportunities to engage with NASA at the event are more plentiful than ever, and we invite you to come and join in the fun with us!
Held by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (or “Oshkosh” for short) has more aircraft, events, demonstrations, lectures, and vendors on display and open to the public than any airshow.
In fact, Oshkosh is one of the few events in the world where you can see everything from historic aircraft to modern-day aerobatics aircraft, supersonic jet fighters, and even sport aircraft like gyrocopters, take to the sky on any given day.
Simultaneously on the ground, hundreds of thousands of attendees, including thousands of pilots who flew their own airplanes to the event, will wend their way through all the hangars, pavilions, and tents.
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 your hand.
It’s no wonder that NASA is present at Oshkosh with a full slate of interactive exhibits, informative activities, and fascinating people to meet.
In fact, this writer met his first astronaut at an airshow. Events like these are, in part, where I found the inspiration that would lead to my passion for aviation and space. When everyone with that same passion gathers together, the spirit of flight is infectious, and anyone who has even a small interest in things that fly can’t miss it.
Here is a broad overview of the numerous activities taking place in the NASA Pavilion through the event’s run from July 25-31:
- Meet-and-Greets with NASA’s leaders, researchers, engineers, and perhaps even an astronaut or two.
- Hands-on educational science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences and activities for guests of all ages on subjects such as the Quesst mission, Advanced Air Mobility, Sustainable Flight, the Artemis program, and others. For example, guests can hear the difference in volume between a sonic boom and the quieter sonic “thump” that NASA’s X-59 aircraft is designed to make.
- Talks and panels on NASA activities from our leadership, engineers, pilots, and other subject-matter experts.
- Informational materials and handouts. There will also be a select number of giveaways of books and other informational material.
- Models of our aircraft, spacecraft, and more, including a model of the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter and the Space Launch System rocket.
One can’t-miss event will be held at 7 p.m. CDT on Friday, July 29, at the Theater in the Woods. “The Next Bold Step: The Future of Space and Beyond” will start with a panel moderated by EAA board member and retired NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt including NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, Artemis Mission Manager Michael Sarafin, astronaut Andrew Feustel, and NASA test pilots Nils Larson and Liz Ruth.
Another inspiring panel is Women@NASA, at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 27, at the Aviation Gateway Park Forum Tent. Women leaders from the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate will discuss NASA’s aviation research portfolio, activities taking places at NASA centers, and their personal experiences as leaders at NASA.
At the Forum buildings, NASA will participate in more than a dozen panel sessions throughout the week. Two notable ones with an aeronautics theme:
- “Training to Fly NASA’s X-59” will be held at 11:30 a.m. CDT on Saturday, July 30. NASA test pilots Nils Larson and Jim Less will describe training to fly NASA’s uniquely shaped X-59 aircraft, currently under construction and targeted to fly for the first time later this year.
- “NASA X-Planes and STEM Engagement” at 1 p.m. CDT on Friday, July 29. NASA Aeronautics educators Dave Berger and April Lanotte will discuss, focusing on how teachers can engage the public with our aeronautical research.
If you’re looking for STEM activities, NASA guides will be available onsite to help you find the ones best suited to you and/or your group.
You can also sign up for our Flight Log, earn an endorsement for attending Oshkosh, and sign up to fly your name on our DC-8 this month. We also will have materials available for formal and informal educators.
And there’s still so much more.
To explore all of NASA’s activities, we recommend you visit Oshkosh’s schedule or download their app to plan your experience. Also, our aeronautical innovators will be inside the NASA Pavilion to assist you.
Additionally, you can keep an eye out on social media for the hashtag #OSH22 to see what’s up, and if you’re at Oshkosh, share your experiences with others who can’t make it.
