Peterson Air and Space Museum

09/09/2026

ON THIS DAY IN U.S. AIR FORCE HISTORY: 1958 - A Lockheed X-7 ramjet, air-launched from a B-50 bomber, exceeded Mach 4 to become the fastest air-breathing missile.

The X-7 (dubbed the "Flying Stove Pipe") was an American unmanned test bed of the 1950s for ramjet engines and missile guidance technology. It was the basis for the later Lockheed AQM-60 Kingfisher, a system used to test American air defenses against nuclear missile attack. A total of 130 X-7 flights were conducted from April 1951 to July 1960.

09/08/2026

In case you missed it, the U.S. Space Force has a new Chief of Space Operations!

General Douglas Schiess has a history with the Peterson Museum! We worked for him when he was the commander of the 21st Space Wing here at Peterson SFB from 2015-2017.

Welcome to the team at the top! Gen. Douglas A. Schiess has officially assumed command as the Chief of Space Operations, leading our Guardians as we continue securing decisive space superiority for the nation.

Read more:
https://dvidshub.net/r/hvm6c1

09/08/2026

🛰️🛰️🛰️ Space Heritage Spotlight! 🚀🚀🚀

September 9th, 1975 - A Martin Marietta Titan III/Centaur booster launched the Viking 2 Mars mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

09/07/2026

Wishing all our friends and fans across the nation a safe and reflective Labor Day.

This Labor Day, CFC recognizes the Guardians, Airmen and civilian professionals whose dedication keeps our forces ready to fight and win.

From across the formation, their skill, commitment and teamwork ensure combat-ready space forces are prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Thank you to all who serve, support the mission, and strengthen our nation through their hard work.

Happy Labor Day!

09/05/2026

This is big!!

09/04/2026

Fighter Friday!

September 4th, 1961 - Through 27 November, three operations offered a show of force to the Soviet Union’s building of the Berlin Wall. Airlift units moved a Composite Air Strike Force to Europe from 4 to 7 September under Project TACKHAMMER, and then they carried nearly 10,000 troops and some 2,380 tons of cargo to the region from 31 October to 27 November during Operation STAIR STEP. In November, airlifters also moved Tactical Air Command F-104s and personnel in Operation BRASS RING.

The F-104C in the foreground of this photo is the Peterson Museum's Starfighter presently on static display! Serial number 56-0936 is shown here refueling from a KB-50 tanker during its Operation BRASS RING deployment with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

09/02/2026

Any veterans of the DEW Line with a story to share? Comment below!

In the early years of the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force had a problem--it lacked early warning capabilities that could detect Soviet nuclear bombers flying towards North America from the North Pole. At

09/02/2026

ON THIS DAY IN U.S. AIR FORCE HISTORY: 1996 - Through 3 September, 1 KC-10 from McGuire AFB, New Jersey and 8 KC-10s from Travis AFB, California, joined 14 KC-135s from Fairchild AFB, Washington, in air-to-air refueling missions supporting Operation DESERT STRIKE, a US bombing raid on selected military targets in Iraq. The tankers made four critical refuelings to enable two 2nd Bomb Wing B-52s to travel 13,683 miles roundtrip from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana on a 34-hour nonstop mission. Additionally, a Travis C-5 airlifted some 75 personnel and support equipment from the U.S. to Guam to support the operation

Photo is from 1982 and depicts a KC-10 refueling a B-52.

09/01/2026

What do you think of the Space Force Honor Guard ceremonial uniform?

The uniform is an evolution of the new Space Force service dress uniform, which is intended to replace the modified Air Force uniform Guardians have worn since the service was first established in 2019. Read more: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/heres-a-look-the-space-force-honor-guards-new-uniform/