Hear from Valerie Neal about the history of American women in spaceflight during a talk about her book, On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of U.S. Women Astronauts

On a Mission spans 45 years and 61 astronauts to share a culturally insightful history of the experiences of women astronauts, the challenges they've faced and their distinctive stories. A book signing will follow the talk. 


Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

This talk is FREE for Museum Members and included with General Admission.


About the Author

Valerie Neal is the emerita curator in the Department of Space History at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.


Purchase On a Mission from the Museum Store