NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio trains for his upcoming International Space Station mission in a T-38 jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari poses for a portrait, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari poses for a portrait, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari climbs into a NASA T-38 aircraft, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari taxies his NASA T-38 aircraft, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson poses for a portrait in NASA Johnson Space Center’s office at Ellington Field, Thursday, July 11, 2019, Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA are seen during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA are seen during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, gives a thumbs up as the Artemis II crew arrives backstage during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA are seen backstage during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA are seen during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Pilot Victor Glover from NASA are seen during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II crew of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) embrace during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, speaks as the Artemis II crew of Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA listen, during a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

The Artemis II zero gravity indicator, "Rise," is seen looped around the wrist of NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, before the Artemis II crew appeared on stage for a crew return event, Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026, at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA’s Artemis II test flight took Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) on an approximately nine-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Part of the mission criteria that led to the decision to fly off the coast of Galveston for QSF18 was the convenience of having NASA Johnson Space Center’s facilities at Ellington Field.

STS-119 Crew Return Ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 29, 2009. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 990. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

STS-119 Crew Return Ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 29, 2009. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 990. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

STS-119 Crew Return Ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 29, 2009. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 990. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

STS-119 Crew Return Ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 29, 2009. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 990. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

STS-127 Crew Return, Ellington Field Location: Ellington, 990

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

STS-133 crew return ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 10, 2011. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 276. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

Aerial view of the NASA hangar and a line-up of the NASA T-38 trainer aircraft used by the astronauts at Ellington Field.

Photo Date:008-01-2009 Location: Ellington Field; Hangar 990 Subject: STS127 Crew Return Photog: David DeHoyos, James Blair

JSC2000-E-27056 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, mission specialist, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

JSC2000-E-27052 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Pamela Melroy, STS-92 pilot, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

JSC2000-E-27051 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Brian Duffy, STS-92 commander, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

STS-38 crewmembers, carrying their luggage, walk across the Ellington Field runway to board their T-38As. The crewmembers are lead by Pilot Frank L. Culbertson. Commander Richard O. Covey, Mission Specialist (MS) Robert C. Springer (wearing sunglasses), and MS Charles D. Gemar follow. The crewmembers are preparing for their departure to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Ellington Field hangar is visible in the background.

NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio trains for his upcoming International Space Station mission in a T-38 jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

JSC2005-E-33437 (10 August 2005) --- Astronaut Eileen M. Collins, STS-114 commander, and William F. Readdy, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, NASA Headquarters, enjoy a light moment prior to the STS-114 crew return ceremonies at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

Documentation of NASA's partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Montana's Great Plains Dinosaur Museum to provide an insulated facility at Ellington Field in which the Leonardo Project Team was able to X-ray Leonardo, a 77 million year old dinosaur fossil. View of the Brachylophosaurus fossil called Leonardo.

STS-128 Crew & ISS Crewmember Tim Kopra return ceremony at Ellington Field Location: Ellington Field

JSC2002-E-09321 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Michael J. Massimino, STS-109 mission specialist, greets the assembled crowd in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-42181 (19 October 2002) --- Astronaut Pamela A. Melroy, STS-112 pilot, addresses an Ellington Field crowd following the return to Houston by the STS-112 mission's six crewmembers.

S99-08178 (28 July 1999) --- Normally housing NASA's fleet of T-38 jet trainers, this Ellington Field hangar was filled instead with well wishers for the returning crew of STS-93 on the morning of July 28, 1999.

JSC2000-E-27055 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Peter J.K. (Jeff) Wisoff, STS-92 mission specialist, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

JSC2000-E-27054 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut William (Bill) McArthur, STS-92 mission specialist, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-42185 (19 October 2002) --- Astronaut Piers J. Sellers, STS-112 mission specialist, addresses an Ellington Field crowd following the return to Houston by the STS-112 mission's six crewmembers.

JSC2000-E-27058 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Koichi Wakata, mission specialist, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies. Wakata represents Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA).

JSC2000-E-27053 (27 October 2000) --- Astronaut Leroy Chiao, STS-92 mission specialist, addresses crowd at Ellington Field during crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-42178 (19 October 2002) --- NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, addresses a crowd on hand at Ellington Field's Hangar 990 during crew return ceremonies for the STS-112 crewmembers.

JSC2000-04605 (30 May 2000) --- Astronaut Mary Ellen Weber, mission specialist, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field on the day following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

JSC2000-04608 (30 May 2000) --- Astronaut James D. Halsell, Jr., mission commander, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field on the day following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

JSC2000-04604 (30 May 2000) --- Astronaut Jeffrey N.Williams, mission specialist, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field on the day following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

JSC2002-E-09339 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Duane G. Carey, STS-109 pilot, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-09340 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Nancy J. Currie, STS-109 mission specialist, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-09341 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, STS-109 payload commander, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2000-E-27059 (26 October 2000) --- JSC Director George W.S. Abbey speaks to crowd in Ellington Field's Hangar 990 during STS-92 crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-42182 (19 October 2002) --- Astronaut David A. Wolf, STS-112 mission specialist, addresses an Ellington Field crowd following the return to Houston by the STS-112 mission's six crewmembers.

JSC2002-E-09344 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Michael J. Massimino, STS-109 mission specialist, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-09342 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Richard M. Linnehan, STS-109 mission specialist, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2000-01643 (23 February 2000) --- JSC Director George W.S. Abbey greets astronaut Dominic L. Gorie, pilot, following the STS-99 crew's arrival at Ellington Field near the Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2002-E-42180 (19 October 2002) --- Astronaut Jeffrey S. Ashby, STS-112 mission commander, responds to a Ellington Field crowd's welcome following the return to Houston by the STS-112 mission's six crewmembers.

JSC2002-E-42184 (19 October 2002) --- Astronaut Sandra H. Magnus, STS-112 mission specialist, addresses an Ellington Field crowd following the return to Houston by the STS-112 mission's six crewmembers.

JSC2002-E-09343 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut James H. Newman, STS-109 mission specialist, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC2002-E-09337 (13 March 2002) --- Astronaut Scott D. Altman, STS-109 mission commander, speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the crew return ceremonies.

JSC/NASA aircraft operations at Ellington Field. T-38 aircraft are lined up on the parking apron. The KC-135 (NASA 930) Weightless environment trainer is taking off in the middle ground.

JSC2000-04606 (30 May 2000) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, pilot, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field on the day following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams pose for a picture during T-38 pre-flight activities at Ellington Field.

S99-16048 (28 December 1999) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld speaks at crew return ceremony at Ellington Field.

S99-16061 (28 December 1999) --- Astronaut C.Michael Foale speaks at crew return ceremony at Ellington Field.

JSC2000-01638 (23 February 2000) --- Astronaut Mamoru Mohri signs autographs for some members of the crowd who turned out for the STS-99 crew arrival at Ellington Field, near the Johnson Space Center (JSC). After spending their first night back from space in Florida, the six astronauts flew to Houston, where they were greeted by the crowd of supporters at Ellington's Hangar 990.

jsc2026e007422 - NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen take off on a T-38 training flight from Ellington Field on Feb. 11, 2026, as a waning crescent Moon hovers above. Koch and Hansen, along with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, are part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Artemis II will fly around the Moon and back to test Orion’s systems and capabilities before returning the crew to a splashdown off the California coast.

S99-16063 (28 December 1999) --- Astronaut Curtis L. Brown Jr., mission commander, speaks at crew return ceremony at Ellington Field.

S99-16060 (28 December 1999) --- George W.S. Abbey, JSC Director, addresses a crowd on hand for the STS-103 crew return event at Ellington Field.

S99-16057 (28 December 1999) --- Astronaut Curtis L. Brown Jr.,misison commander, signs autographs during a crew return ceremony at Ellington Field.

S99-05971 (7 June 1999) --- Astronaut Rick D. Husband, pilot, speaks to crowd at Ellington Field following crew arrival.

S99-05972 (7 June 1999) --- Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, mission specialist, speaks to crowd on hand at welcome ceremonies following crew arrival at Ellington Field.

S99-16066 (28 December 1999) --- Astronaut Steven L. Smith, payload commander, speaks at crew return ceremony at Ellington Field.

JSC2010-E-055383 (21 April 2010) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-055376 (21 April 2010) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured during the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-44418 (22 Aug. 2007) --- Astronaut Scott Kelly, STS-118 commander, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-118 crew return ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22 in Ellington Field's Hangar 990 near JSC.

JSC2010-E-025792 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-055377 (21 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured during the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2000-04612 (30 May 2000) --- Astronaut Susan J. Helms, mission specialist, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremonies at Ellington Field. The seven-member crew returned to Houston after spending its first night in Florida following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

JSC2010-E-055375 (21 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-131 commander, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2000-04610 (30 May 2000) --- Cosmonaut Yury V. Usachev, mission specialist representing the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, speaks to a crowd at the crew-welcoming ceremonies at Ellington Field. The seven-member crew returned to Houston after spending its first night in Florida following the completion of the STS-101 mission.

JSC2006-E-16637 (26 April 2006) --- Astronaut William S. (Bill) McArthur Jr. (left), Expedition 12 commander and NASA space station science officer, speaks with astronaut Wendy B. Lawrence at his arrival at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-055379 (21 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut James P. Dutton Jr., STS-131 pilot, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025793 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025789 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, is pictured at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2006-E-16619 (26 April 2006) --- Astronaut William S. (Bill) McArthur Jr., Expedition 12 commander and NASA space station science officer, speaks to a welcoming crowd on hand at his arrival at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2006-E-16605 (26 April 2006) --- Astronaut William S. (Bill) McArthur Jr., Expedition 12 commander and NASA space station science officer, exits a plane following his arrival at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-023806 (12 May 2007) --- Following the Expedition 14 crew return at Ellington Field, cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition 14 flight engineer, is greeted by JSC Deputy Director Ellen Ochoa. JSC Director Michael L. Coats and Mrs. Coats are visible in the background. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2010-E-055374 (21 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured during the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2002-E-09336 (13 March 2002 ) --- Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Acting Director Roy S. Estess speaks from the lectern in Hangar 990 at Ellington Field during the STS-109 crew return ceremonies.

JSC2010-E-055384 (21 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025785 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut George Zamka, STS-130 commander, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025784 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near JSC.