The Aeronautical Research Files is the largest of all the series in the Stine Collection, consisting of about 31 cubic feet of material. Nine subseries make up this grouping: Subseries A. Aircraft, 1916-1987; Subseries B. Facilities, 1953-1997; Subseries C. International Programs, 1920-1993; Subseries D. Rockets and Missiles, 1924-1996; Subseries E. Satellites, 1957-1995; Subseries F. Spacecraft and Missions, 1946-1986; Subseries G. Space Vehicles, 1960-1993; Subseries H. Space – General, 1943-1996; and Subseries I. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1965-1982.

A wide variety of materials make up this series, including correspondence, articles, brochures, news releases, charts, booklets, press kits, technical briefs, facility maps, photographs, brochures, fact-sheets, philatelic ephemera, postcards, articles, and clippings. The Rockets and Missiles subseries includes the material cited above but is predominately comprised of illustrations (copies and hand-drawn), blueprints, lithographs, negative proofs, hand-written notes, and test results. Also included in this subseries are model rocket designs that illustrate the model versions inspired by prominent rockets. Note that additional photographic and audiovisual documentation related to this series can be found in Series V. Visual and Audiovisual Materials.

These records are Stine’s research files, which he began actively collecting material related to aeronautical studies beginning in the early 1950s with his first position at White Sands Proving Ground. His main interest was in rocket science but materials on various other sub-fields within aeronautics are also present. He used the material to guide his model rocket designs, assist with his work a space history consultant, as well as his writings, both non-fiction and science fiction. Most of the material in this series is organized alphabetically, except for the Spacecraft and Missions files. These folders have been arranged chronologically by space mission to show the development of the programs over time.