These photos show how engineers with conducted testing on a 1.2% scale model of SpaceX’s Super Heavy Version 3 rocket booster at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The tests focused on better understanding the extreme aerodynamic forces the rocket can experience during re-entry and builds on a previous test series completed at NASA Ames in 2024. NASA is working with SpaceX to develop the company’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) to safely carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. The upgraded Super Heavy rocket booster is part of SpaceX’s Starship launch system.

The Special Olympics torch make it's way through the NASA Ames Research Park on it's way to a hand-off in Mountain View, CA

These photos show how engineers with conducted testing on a 1.2% scale model of SpaceX’s Super Heavy Version 3 rocket booster at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The tests focused on better understanding the extreme aerodynamic forces the rocket can experience during re-entry and builds on a previous test series completed at NASA Ames in 2024. NASA is working with SpaceX to develop the company’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) to safely carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. The upgraded Super Heavy rocket booster is part of SpaceX’s Starship launch system.

These photos show how engineers with conducted testing on a 1.2% scale model of SpaceX’s Super Heavy Version 3 rocket booster at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The tests focused on better understanding the extreme aerodynamic forces the rocket can experience during re-entry and builds on a previous test series completed at NASA Ames in 2024. NASA is working with SpaceX to develop the company’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) to safely carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. The upgraded Super Heavy rocket booster is part of SpaceX’s Starship launch system.

Top rear view of the avrocar with tail. Tufts (pieces of yarn) attached to top of horizontal tail. Avrocar mounted on variable height struts.

The Special Olympics Torch makes it’s way through NASA Ames Research Park on it’s way to a hand-off in Mountain View, CA.

Andrew Henry during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A. Jasper Wolfe, front, with David Korsmeyer, and Eugene Tu.

The cockpit of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), is separated from the airframe on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Yellow straps fasten the cockpit of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), to the trailer that carries it off the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Removing the skin from the airframe of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Matt Machlis during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

The drone follows an autonomously defined path around the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron. The drone photographs the aircraft with a visible and infrared camera which are processed using a photogrammetry software package called Pix4D that converts them into a 3D model. Scanning the aircraft is the first phase of documenting the aircraft demolition as well as an opportunity to train pilots to operate the Pix4D software.

The tail section of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed from the fuselage on the N211 apron of Moffett Field, California.

Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth welcomes Ames employees to the Orion Circle of Excellence Award Ceremony in the Syvertson Auditorium, N201.

Daylight shines through the airframe of the fuselage onto the mission director’s and telescope operator’s workstations of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), during its demolition on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Close-up view of the tail section of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed from the fuselage on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Three-quarter front view of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), with the telescope aperture open on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Richard Kolyer unfolds the drone and prepares it for flight around the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714).

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks with Ames engineers during his visit to the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC) in N240A.

Ethan Massey, in the control booth, sends commands that control the movement of the Moon Gravity Representative Unit (MGRU3) at the Roverscape during Family Day for team members of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER). MGRU3 is a weight equivalent mobility and navigation test platform for VIPER. It is used to test, develop and validate the different mobility and navigation techniques and capabilities of the VIPER rover, to safely and efficiently map water at the Moon’s South Pole.

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission systems manager Jay Trimble, left, with Center Director Eugene Tu during the vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A. Deputy Center Director David Korsmeyer, behind.

The cockpit of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), is separated from the airframe on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch exits the vacuum test chamber for the Interaction Heating Facility (IHF) of the Ames Arc Jet Complex, N238, following Victor J. Glover, left. During a test, a TPS test sample is suspended in the hypersonic flow produced by IHF’s arc heater. The shock heating produced by the interaction between the hypersonic flow and the stationary test sample simulates the heating and other forces the spacecraft will encounter during atmospheric hypersonic entry.

The drone follows an autonomously defined path around the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron. The drone photographs the aircraft with a visible and infrared camera which are processed using a photogrammetry software package called Pix4D that converts them into a 3D model. Scanning the aircraft is the first phase of documenting the aircraft demolition as well as an opportunity to train pilots to operate the Pix4D software.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman views a test run in the Arc Jet facility in N238.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman responds to questions from Ames employees during his coffee and donuts event in MegaBites N235.

The console holds the mission director’s workstation, left, the telescope operator’s station, and the data systems operator’s station, right, of the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714).

Aircraft demolition of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

The drone follows an autonomously defined path around the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron. The drone photographs the aircraft with a visible and infrared camera which are processed using a photogrammetry software package called Pix4D that converts them into a 3D model. Scanning the aircraft is the first phase of documenting the aircraft demolition as well as an opportunity to train pilots to operate the Pix4D software.

Monty Miranda in the telescope reticle during the demolition of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Mark Clampin learns about the Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) the Bioscience Collaborative Laboratory, N288.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, front, talks to the workforce at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley during the “Moon to Mars” town hall in the N201 Syvertson Auditorium. Behind him, left to right, are Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, AmesCenter Director Eugene Tu, Director of Space Architectures Kurt “Spuds” Vogel, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate Walt Engelund, and Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development Cathy Koerner.

4 propeller Tilt Wing. Pictured with Tommy Wills wind tunnel mechanic in the 40x80 foot wind tunnel.

Director of Science Michael Hesse, left, presents an overview of Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) to Acting Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Mark Clampin in the Bioscience Collaborative Laboratory, N288.

The tail section of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed from the fuselage on the N211 apron of Moffett Field, California.

Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, at the podium, leads a question-and-answer session with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Victor J. Glover, right, with Ames employees following the Orion Circle of Excellence Award Ceremony in the Syvertson Auditorium, N201.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman responds to questions from Ames employees during his coffee and donuts event in MegaBites N235.

Oxygen regulator pressure demand. Aft of the port side work area. Everyone flying on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), needed to have their own oxygen mask and operate their regulator.

The telescope mount in the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), during its demolition on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Mission Director Stephen Patterson at his workstation at the console of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714).

Jose A. B. Santos, right, discusses thermal protection materials with NASA astronaut Victor J. Glover, Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch in STAR Labs in N242.

Jesse Fusco, left, and James Milsk at the BioSentinel command console in the Ames Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240 Annex, Ceres control room 172, receiving spacecraft telemetry at the 3-year anniversary since launch on Artemis I.

A comparison of Earth and Kepler-1649c, an exoplanet only 1.06 times Earth's radius. Labeled Art Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Daniel Rutter

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks to Ames employees during his coffee and donuts event in MegaBites N235.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, center, speaks to wind tunnel staff, with Associate Center Director Amir Deylami, back, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, right,

Pipistrel-USA Team Lead Jack Langelaan talks after his team won the 2011 Green Flight Challenge, sponsored by Google, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 at the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif. The all electric Taurus G4 aircraft achieved the equivalency of more than 400 miles per gallon. NASA and CAFE Foundation held the challenge to advance technologies in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions with cleaner renewable fuels and electric aircraft. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), is demolished on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Eugene Tu, center director at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, offers his opening remarks to the Ames workforce during the “Moon to Mars” town hall in the N201 Syvertson Auditorium. Town hall panel, seated right to left, are NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, Director of Space Architectures Kurt “Spuds” Vogel, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate Walt Engelund, and Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development Cathy Koerner.

Arno Rogg explains the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission to visitors in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240, during VIPER Family Day.

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Mark Clampin learns about the Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) the Bioscience Collaborative Laboratory, N288.

Cables in the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed prior to removing the cockpit on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

NASA astronauts Christina Koch, left, Victor J. Glover, Matt Switzer, Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, and Margaret Stackpoole.

NASA Ames staff photographer Brandon Torres Navarette, front, photographs Orion Circle of Excellence Award being presented to Jeremy Vander Kam (ACD25-0023-001), center, by Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, left, NASA astronauts Victor J. Glover, right, and Christina Koch, left. Luis Saucedo is the master of the ceremonies at the podium on the far left, in the Syvertson Auditorium, N201.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman meets with NASA Next Cohort leadership in N232.

NASA is sending a mobile robot to the south pole of the Moon to get a close-up view of the location and concentration of water ice in the region and for the first time ever, actually sample the water ice at the same pole where the first woman and next man will land in 2024 under the Artemis program. About the size of a golf cart, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, will roam several miles, using its four science instruments — including a 1-meter drill — to sample various soil environments. Planned for delivery in December 2022, VIPER will collect about 100 days of data that will be used to inform development of the first global water resource maps of the Moon. Illustration by Daniel Rutter.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman meets with NASA Next Cohort leadership in N232.

Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation President Brien A. Seeley M.D., left, NASA Acting Chief Technologist Joe Parrish, 2nd from left, and Pipistrel-USA Team Lead Jack Langelaan, center with suit, and the entire Pipistrel-USA, Taurus G4 aircraft team pose for a photograph shortly after winning the 2011 Green Flight Challenge, sponsored by Google, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 at the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif. The all electric Taurus G4 aircraft achieved the equivalency of more than 400 miles per gallon. NASA and CAFE held the challenge to advance technologies in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions with cleaner renewable fuels and electric aircraft. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Yellow straps fasten the cockpit of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), to the trailer that carries it off the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

The Intersex Progress Pride flag flies for the first time at any NASA center below the American flag, in front of the Ames Administration Building, N200, to commemorate Pride Month.

Ethan Massey, in the control booth, sends commands that control the movement of the Moon Gravity Representative Unit (MGRU3) at the Roverscape during Family Day for team members of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER). MGRU3 is a weight equivalent mobility and navigation test platform for VIPER. It is used to test, develop and validate the different mobility and navigation techniques and capabilities of the VIPER rover, to safely and efficiently map water at the Moon’s South Pole.

Jesse Fusco, left, and James Milsk at the BioSentinel command console in the Ames Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240 Annex, Ceres control room 172, receiving spacecraft telemetry at the 3-year anniversary since launch on Artemis I.

Left to right: Keats Wilkie, Mario Perez, and Craig Turczynski rotate the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) spacecraft on the workbench of the Ames Integration Facility located in N213 room 104.

Don Ebaugh, left, shows NASA astronaut Victor J. Glover a thermal couple plug, which measures the temperature inside a heat shield, in STAR Labs, N238.

The modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), is demolished on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

NASA Ames staff photographer Brandon Torres Navarette, front, photographs Orion program manager’s commendation award presented to Tane Boghozian (ACD25-0023-005), center, by Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, left, NASA astronauts Victor J. Glover, right, and Christina Koch, left, in the Syvertson Auditorium, N201.

Daylight shines through the airframe during the demolition of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), tail section on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A. Jasper Wolfe, left, with David Korsmeyer, and Eugene Tu, right.

Yellow straps are threaded through the airframe of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), before removing the cockpit on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Director of Aeronautics Huy Tran, left, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Associate Center Director Amir Deylami, back, Congressman Sam Liccardo, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, right, tour the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) facility in N227.

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission systems manager Jay Trimble, right, with Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC) Director Justin Pane, during the vehicle operational readiness test in the MMOC, N240A.

Color view of the Avrocar from overhead in the 40x80 wind tunnel, without A1:H73 mounted on variable height struts.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman meets with Berkeley Space Center leadership in the Jack Boyd Committee Room, N200. Left to right, Associate Provost Berkeley Space Center Dr. Victoria Coleman, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, and Center Director Eugene Tu.

The drone follows an autonomously defined path around the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron. The drone photographs the aircraft with a visible and infrared camera which are processed using a photogrammetry software package called Pix4D that converts them into a 3D model. Scanning the aircraft is the first phase of documenting the aircraft demolition as well as an opportunity to train pilots to operate the Pix4D software.

Rick Elphic, NSS instrument principal investigator, left, explains the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission to visitors in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240, during VIPER Family Day.

Application of blowing-type boundry-layer control to the leading-and trailing-edge flaps of a Change Vought XF8U-1 wing

The tail section of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed from the fuselage on the N211 apron of Moffett Field, California.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman meets Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren during a tour of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) facility in N227.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, with Center Director Eugene Tu, and Associate Center Director Amir Deylami, tours the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC) in N240A.

Cables in the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), severed prior to removing the cockpit on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Team Lead Jack Langelaan poses for a photograph next to the Pipistrel-USA, Taurus G4, aircraft prior to winning the 2011 Green Flight Challenge, sponsored by Google, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 at the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif. The all electric Taurus G4 aircraft achieved the equivalency of more than 400 miles per gallon. NASA and CAFE held the challenge to advance technologies in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions with cleaner renewable fuels and electric aircraft. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Volvo Crawler Excavator severs the airframe, separating the tail section from the fuselage, of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron of Moffett Field, California.

Richard Bielawski during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

3/4 front view of McDonnell-Douglas Large-Scale lift fan, vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL), transport model. Francis Malerick in photograph. The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 (initially known as the Douglas DC-9) is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner.

Hans Thomas during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

Jesse Fusco, left, and James Milsk at the BioSentinel command console in the Ames Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240 Annex, Ceres control room 172, receiving spacecraft telemetry at the 3-year anniversary since launch on Artemis I.

Terry Fong during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visits the Arc Jet facility in N238.

The cockpit of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), is separated from the airframe on the N211 apron at Moffett Field, California.

Sybil Adams during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

Front 3/4 view of the Avrocar mounted on variable height struts in the Ames 40x80 foot wind tunnel, without tail.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks with Dr. George Raiche, Associate Director for Exploration Technology Infrastructure during his visit to the Arc Jet facility in N238.

Avrocar in the shop of the 40x80 foot wind tunnel with the 4 prop tilt wing model in the back ground.

Erin Fritzler during the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) vehicle operational readiness test in the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240A.

TechEdSat-11 operators Daphne Dao, left, and Alejandro Salas, in the Ames Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC), N240 Annex, Eros control room 162. The team monitors the spacecraft's status during the Exo-Brake “parachute” deployment. The ExoBrake is a drag device that increases the total surface area of the spacecraft to assist with a quicker deorbit. This maneuver is deployed at the end of mission to satisfy NASA's deorbit requirement and prevent space debris. TechEdSat has spent the last several months coordinating with NASA’s Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis (CARA) team to ensure the spacecraft can safely deploy the ExoBrake without colliding into any other objects.

Orion Deputy Program Manager Debbie Korth, at the podium, leads a question-and-answer session with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Victor J. Glover, right, with Ames employees following the Orion Circle of Excellence Award Ceremony in the Syvertson Auditorium, N201.

Photo composite (8 frames) of the flight deck of the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), with stations for the flight engineer, co-pilot, pilot, and navigator, who typically only flew on long overseas flights.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman meets with NASA Next Cohort leadership in N232.

Richard Kolyer, left, with Jonas Jonsson guide the drone to land behind the modified C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory, (KAO) (NASA-714), on the N211 apron.