Testing autonomous software for AARD program using a NASA F/A-18 #845 following a chartered Sabreliner.

Testing autonomous software for AARD program using a NASA F/A-18 #845 following a chartered Sabreliner.

F/A-18 #845 HUD and video camera setup for Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) project

F/A-18 #845 behind an Omega Air Boeing 707 tanker during an Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) flight.

F/A-18 #845 testing autonomous system for AARD project by following a pickup with an airborne tanker drogue illustration.

Testing autonomous software for AARD program using a NASA F/A-18 #845 following a chartered Sabreliner.

F/A-18 #845 behind an Omega Air Boeing 707 tanker during an Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) flight.

NASA's F/A-18B #845 was captured by the photographer as it returned from its final flight in the Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration research project.

View from F/A-18 #845 behind Omega Air Boeing 707 tanker during an AARD flight showing probe and drogue.

NASA's two Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft form the backdrop as pilot Dick Ewers banks NASA F/A-18 #845 low over Rogers Dry Lake to end a research flight.

Pilot Dick Ewers and flight test engineer Leslie Molzahn were hands-off as NASA F/A-18 #845 flew itself into the drogue on an autonomous refueling demonstration.

Seen on Oct. 27, 2020, is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) with a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) with a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

A ground-level view of a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

A ground-level view of a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) with a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Seen on Oct. 27, 2020, is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) with a vibrant NASA logo, referred to as the meatball, and American Flag at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, began repainting the meatball and flag on the iconic facility in May and recently completed the project. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs where completed after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building in 2004. It took over 500 gallons of paint to repaint the 209’ X 110’ flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007 when the repairs were completed after 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209 X 110-foot flag and the 110’ X 132’ meatball.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A scrub jay perches on a branch near the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and a waterway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and a waterway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A close-up view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

A view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and a waterway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

Smoke generators show the twisting paths of wingtip vortices behind two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program during flight #743.

Two NASA Dryden F/A-18's land on the Edwards Air Force Base runway after completion of an Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) mission.

Flying an Autonomous Formation Flight mission, two F/A-18s from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, gain altitude near Rogers Dry Lake.

These two NASA F/A-18 aircraft are flying a test point for the Autonomous Formation Flight project over California's Mojave Desert.

A scrub jay perches on a branch near the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22, 2020. Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall building. HM2 and H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida, are repainting the meatball and the American Flag on the iconic building. The VAB was last painted in 2007, when repairs were completed after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne tore 845 panels off the building. It will take over 500 gallons of paint to paint the 209-by-110-foot flag and the 110-by-132-foot meatball. High Bay 3 inside the VAB has been upgraded with 10 new levels of work platforms that will surround and provide access for service and processing of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. Exploration Ground Systems is overseeing upgrades to the VAB to support the launch of the SLS and Orion for Artemis missions. Under the Artemis program, NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon.

Smoke generators show the twisting paths of wingtip vortices behind two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program during flight #743.

Smoke generators show the twisting paths of wingtip vortices behind two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program during flight #743.

This unique view, looking directly up at two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program, was captured by Carla Thomas from another F-18 flying safety/chase.

Smoke generators show the twisting paths of wingtip vortices behind two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program during flight #743.