Niagara Aerospace Museum

06/01/2026

Pictured here is the 400th Agena engine packed by assemblers at Textron’s Bell Aerospace Division in Buffalo, New York. Shipment was made to Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, California in the fall of 1975. Designed and built by Bell, the 16,000-pound-thrust engine powers the Agena spacecraft manufactured by Lockheed. Since its first flight on February 28, 1959, Lockheed’s Agena has been used on over 300 missions or nearly half of all U.S. space flights—more than any other spacecraft in the world. Able to perform as booster, satellite or both, the versatile vehicle has served in a wide variety of missions for both the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA.

(Source: https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll248/id/49/rec/1)

05/18/2026

On October 30, 1964, pilot Joseph “Joe” Walker conducted the first test flight in the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle. During the totality of his test flight, Walker lifted off three times, performed a few maneuvers, and then landed safely. Following Walker’s successful test flights, other pilots tested the vehicle before Neil Armstrong conducted test flights prior to landing on the Moon in 1969.

(Source:https://www.nasa.gov/history/60-years-ago-the-first-flight-of-the-lunar-landing-research-vehicle/)

05/11/2026

LLRV versus LLTV: What’s the Difference?

The LLRV and LLTV were built by Bell to help train astronauts in lunar landings. The differences? The Lunar Landing Research Vehicle was built in the early 1960s, and stood at 10 feet, 6 inches tall. The LLRV was designed so that sections of the vehicle could be replaced by equipment from the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module). The Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, was built in the late 1960s, and was the second iteration of the LLRV. Standing taller than its predecessor, at 11 feet, 4 inches, the LLTV was the vehicle future Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong flew that prepared him for his lunar landing.

Another difference, check out the cockpits of the vehicles. The cockpit on the LLTV is larger and enclosed. The LLRV’s cockpit is mostly open to the elements.

05/06/2026

91 years ago today on May 6, 1935 the prototype Curtiss-Wright Model 75 made its first flight. The prototype later became the the Curtiss P-36 Hawk. The P-36 was one of the few aircraft that was able to fight the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

05/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1356403239631055/?fs=e&fs=e

05/04/2026

Check out this image of the last Agena engine to be produced! Taken on May 14,1969, the image depicts the Agena Engine with the Second Shift Personnel.

The second image depicts the names, titles and locations of the men in the picture. If you know and recognize any of the men in the picture, let us know! We’d love to hear from you!

04/27/2026

https://youtu.be/AIHDOgx0PYQ?si=dLK66vyWukx3nc-w

736 likes, 72 comments. "1942 BELL AIRCOBRA PLANT OPERATIONS WWII AIRPLANE PRODUCTION FACTORY TOUR XD48074"

04/27/2026

The Niagara Aerospace Museum had the honor of hosting Dr. Francis Lestingi, PhD on April 25th for his lecture on "What Tesla got wrong".

Dr. Francis Lestingi, PhD

Dr. Francis Lestingi, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Physics and History of Science, SUNY Buffalo State, was the first professor to receive both the President's and Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Lestingi is also the founder of award-winning Signs of Gold, Inc where he combines his skill as a master hand carver of wood with his expertise as a gilder.

Dr. Lestingi is the co-founder of the Buffalo Niagara Nikola Tesla Council.

Dr. Lestingi is also a deputized Erie County Sheriff, honored as such by Erie County Sheriff John Garcia for his impressive contributions to the arts and sciences in Western New York as well as for his philanthropy.

We want to thank Dr. Lestingi and all you who came out to hear his lecture!

04/27/2026

Dr. Walter Dornberger, a Bell Aircraft Company scientist, explaining a Bell Aircraft proposal for a strategic bombardment and reconnaissance weapon system named BOMI, and a description of the size, weight, accuracy, circle of error probability, reliability, versatility and growth potential of the weapon system.

25 likes, 9 comments. "Bell MX-2276 BOMI (BOmber MIssile) • Strategic Bombardment and Reconnaissance Weapon System"

04/25/2026

Final Reminder!

Today is the last day for the Spring Lecture Series! If you haven’t done so, please come out to hear What Nikola Tesla Got Wrong, presented by Dr. Francis S Lestingi.

We look forward to seeing you here! And we thank all of you for your support! 💙

Link:

Join us for a series of lectures exploring Western New York's legacy of aviation and innovation.