NASA Aircraft
NASA maintains a fleet of aircraft that enable the agency to conduct its aeronautical research, study our planet, train its astronauts, and otherwise operate its many air and space programs. This page will be a constantly growing and evolving home for information about NASA aircraft past and present.
Current NASA X-Planes
Since the X-1 broke the sound barrier in 1947, X-plane research has resulted in some of the most important and historic developments in flight. That tradition continues today with NASA's current stable of X-planes, each uniquely designed and capable of providing research to help transform specific areas of aviation for the 21st century.
X-66
To be built in partnership with Boeing, the X-66 will serve as NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator. The goal is to showcase a new aircraft configuration that will help the aviation community achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
X-59
Built under contract by Lockheed Martin, the X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission to collect data that could make commercial supersonic flight over land possible, dramatically reducing air travel time in the United States or anywhere in the world
X-57
Built by modifying an Italian Tecnam P2006T to be powered by an electric propulsion system, since 2016 the X-57 project has shared lessons learned about battery technology, electromagnetic interference, motor controller design, and so much more.
aircraft Flown at armstrong FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER
Gulfstream III
Aerodynamics Research Test Bed
DC-8
Airborne Science Laboratory
ER-2
High-Altitude Science Aircraft
F-15B
Aeronautics Research Test Bed
Global Hawk
Unmanned Aerial System
Johnson Space Center
The Houston-based space center plays host to a number of NASA aircraft that are used for astronaut training and flight proficiency, transport of oversized cargo, and hosting airborne science investigations of planet Earth.
Read About the JSC Aircraft
Airborne Science Program
NASA's Airborne Science Program, located within the Earth Science Division, is responsible for providing aircraft systems that further science and advance the use of satellite data. A number of NASA aircraft stationed at field centers around the country are available to support the program.
See the List of NASA Aircraft Involved
NASA Aircraft Gallery
Here is Some Other Cool NASA Aeronautics Stuff to Check Out
Other Aeronautics topics
Supersonic Flight
Research about flying faster than the speed of sound.
Flight Innovation
Stories about pioneering the frontiers of 21st century flight.
Drones & You
All about new ways to get from here to there in the air.
Green Aviation Tech
Learn about research to make aviation more sustainable.
Air Traffic Solutions
Read about how NASA is opening up the sky for all.
NASA Aircraft
Information about NASA's fleet of aircraft.
Science in the Air
News about using NASA aircraft to better understand our world.
