One of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft is seen through the jet wash of another F-5 aircraft during an employee incentive flying event, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen with his personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen with his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen with his personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen in his personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen ahead of a flight in his personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in a hangar at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen ingressing his personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in a formation flight with his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in a formation flight with his personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

One of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft is seen at sunset, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employee Greg Gaddis, spaceport senior operations manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Trey Carlson, chief of staff at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Spencer Barr, Exploration Ground Systems mission assurance manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Matthew Mickens, project scientist, space crop production at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator, poses for a photograph in NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, ahead of a formation flight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Associate Administrator Kshatriya in F-5 Aircraft

NASA employee James Hamilton, propellant and pressurant manager at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employee Briou Bourgeois, E-3 test director at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Family members of NASA employees watch as members of the NASA workforce participate in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employee Kristian Miasek, ET-10 test engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employees participate in an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Luis Muniz, radiation safety officer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, poses for a photograph before an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employees participate in an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen flying his personal F-5 aircraft, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in a formation flight with his personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in a formation flight with his personal F-5 aircraft, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Isaacman was joined by Lara Trump of Fox News flying in the back seat. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, left, and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, right, are seen at sunset following a formation flight in Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen following a formation flight with his personal F-5 aircraft, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Isaacman was joined by Lara Trump of Fox News flying in the back seat. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

NASA employees participate in an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen before an employee incentive flying event using his personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Clara Wright, chief of the laboratories, development, and testing division within the engineering directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Spencer Barr, Exploration Ground Systems mission assurance manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, speaks with Jerry Kirby, pilot, right, following an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Matthew Mickens, project scientist, space crop production at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, and Clara Wright, chief of the laboratories, development, and testing division within the engineering directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, right, are seen following an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the NASA Administrator, left, embraces Trey Carlson, chief of staff at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, right, following an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Matthew Mickens, project scientist, space crop production at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, and Clara Wright, chief of the laboratories, development, and testing division within the engineering directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, right, are seen following an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA employee Megan Vansant, chief architect and demolition program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Kyle Back, director of the business management office at the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Enterprise at NASA Headquarters, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Teresa Nieves-Chinchilla, director of the Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, poses for a photograph before an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Sean Clarke, NASA technical fellow for electric power for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), based at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA employee Brittany Bouché, acting deputy chief of facility engineering services at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, left, speaks with NASA employees Megan Vansant, chief architect and demolition program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, second from left; James Hamilton, propellant and pressurant manager at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, third from left; and Brittany Bouché, acting deputy chief of facility engineering services at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, right, following an employee incentive flying event using Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, fifth from left, poses for a photograph with NASA employees and F-5 pilots following an employee incentive flying event using Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left to right: Sean Gustafson, pilot and senior advisor to the administrator; Kristian Miasek, ET-10 test engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Megan Vansant, chief architect and demolition program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; James Hamilton, propellant and pressurant manager at NASA’s Stennis Space Center; NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman; Briou Bourgeois, E-3 test director at NASA’s Stennis Space Center; Brittany Bouché, acting deputy chief of facility engineering services at NASA’s Stennis Space Center; and Jerry Kerby, pilot. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with three of his personal F-5 aircraft, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman Flies His F-5 Aircraft

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the NASA Administrator, left; Matthew Mickens, project scientist, space crop production, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, second from left; Trey Carlson, chief of staff at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, third from left; Spencer Barr, Exploration Ground Systems mission assurance manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, fourth from left; Clara Wright, chief of the laboratories, development, and testing division within the engineering directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, fifth from left; and Jerry Kerby, pilot, right, pose for a photograph following an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 6, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman's F-5 Aircraft

Foreground, from left: Teresa Nieves-Chinchilla, director of the Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; Kyle Back, director of the business management office at the Office of the Chief Financial Officer Enterprise at NASA Headquarters; NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman; and Luis Muniz, radiation safety officer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; background: Sean Clarke, NASA technical fellow for electric power for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, based at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, center, and Ryan Fishel, pilot, right, pose for a photograph following an employee incentive flying event with Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Friday, March 27, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft flies in the supersonic shock wave of a U.S. Navy F-5E as part of the F-5 Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project.

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft recently flew in the supersonic shock wave of a U.S. Navy F-5E in support of the F-5 Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project, part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. The flights originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California. Four flights were flown in order to measure the F-5E's near-field (close-up) sonic boom signature at Mach 1.4, during which more than 50 shockwave patterns were measured at distances as close as 100 feet below the F-5E.

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft flies in the supersonic shock wave of a U.S. Navy F-5E as part of the F-5 Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project.

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft recently flew in the supersonic shock wave of a U.S. Navy F-5E in support of the F-5 Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project, part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. The flights originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California. Four flights were flown in order to measure the F-5E's near-field (close-up) sonic boom signature at Mach 1.4, during which more than 50 shockwave patterns were measured at distances as close as 100 feet below the F-5E.

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA employee Ashley Scharfenberg participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and his personal F-5 aircraft, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen before an employee incentive flying event using his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA employee Daniel Forrestel participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and his personal F-5 aircraft, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in an employee incentive flying event using his personal F-5 aircraft, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in an employee incentive flying event using his personal F-5 aircraft with NASA employees Daniel Forrestel and Ashley Scharfenberg, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator, pose for a photograph following a formation flight in Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman and Associate Administrator Kshatriya

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator, are seen following a formation flight in Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman and Associate Administrator Kshatriya

NASA employee Jonathan Baker, chief of the spaceport development division at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, is seen before an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman arrives at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo in a formation flight with his F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman at SUN 'n FUN

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Vehicle Assembly Building and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in an employee incentive flying event using his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen with one of his personal F-5 aircraft ahead of an air show performance at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman at SUN 'n FUN

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is seen in the cockpit of his personal F-5 aircraft after arriving at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman at SUN 'n FUN

NASA employee Jonathan Baker, chief of the spaceport development division at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, speaks with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, following an employee incentive flying event using Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA employee Jonathan Baker, chief of the spaceport development division at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, participates in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, center, and his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA employee Jonathan Baker, chief of the spaceport development division at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, left, is seen before an employee incentive flying event with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, and his personal F-5 aircraft, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

NASA's F-15B from the Dryden Flight Research Center flew in the supersonic shockwave of a modified U.S. Navy F-5E jet in support of the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project. On Aug. 27, 2003, the F-5 SSBD aircraft demonstrated a method to reduce

NASA's F-15B research testbed jet from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center flew in the supersonic shockwave of a Northrop Grumman Corp. modified U.S. Navy F-5E jet in support of the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project, which is part of the DARPA's Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. On Aug. 27, 2003, the F-5 SSBD aircraft demonstrated a method to reduce the intensity of sonic booms.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flies in his personal F-5 aircraft, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Isaacman was joined by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in the back seat for a flight around Launch Complex 39B, the Vehicle Assembly Building, and surrounding areas at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman and Secretary Hegseth Fly Over Kennedy

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participates in a formation flight with his F-5 aircraft during an air show performance at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. Isaacman was joined by pilots Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and Jerry Kerby. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman at SUN 'n FUN

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the surrounding area at Kennedy ahead of Crew-12’s mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman F-5s and USAF Thunderbirds F-16s Flight

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman conducts a formation flight with two of his personal F-5 aircraft, piloted by Isaacman and Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator, and two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s, piloted by Thunderbird 7 Lt. Col. Tyler Keener and Thunderbird 8 Maj. Samuel Larson, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The formation flew near the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B and the surrounding area at Kennedy. Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)

Administrator Isaacman and Secretary Hegseth Fly Over Kennedy

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Visits KSC

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman sits in the cockpit of a Northrop F-5 aircraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly 15th administrator of the agency, Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce to fly in Isaacman’s personal F-5 Tiger II aircraft. NASA’s first “A” stands for aeronautics, and the agency is continuing efforts to the efforts to safely and sustainably transform aviation for the 21st century.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Visits KSC

Sean “Stroker” Gustafson, pilot, sits in the cockpit of an Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly 15th administrator of the agency, Jared Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities with opportunities to fly in Isaacman’s Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft.

A Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft prepares for flight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly 15th administrator of the agency, Jared Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities to fly in Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Visits KSC

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman inspects the nose his Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft before his flight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly appointed 15th administrator of the agency, Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce to fly in Isaacman’s F-5 Tiger II aircraft around NASA Kennedy for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities.

Two Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft prepare for flight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly 15th administrator of the agency, Jared Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities to fly in Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Visits KSC

Ed Schneider gives a "thumbs-up" after his last flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center

In a lighter mood, Ed Schneider gives a "thumbs-up" after his last flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center on September 19, 2000. Schneider arrived at the NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility on July 5, 1982, as a Navy Liaison Officer, becoming a NASA research pilot one year later. He has been project pilot for the F-18 High Angle-of-Attack program (HARV), the F-15 aeronautical research aircraft, the NASA B-52 launch aircraft, and the SR-71 "Blackbird" aircraft. He also participated in such programs as the F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire, the FAA/NASA 720 Controlled Impact Demonstration, the F-14 Automatic Rudder Interconnect and Laminar Flow, and the F-104 Aeronautical Research and Microgravity projects.

STS-5 crew in T-38 enroute to Kennedy Space Center

Employee Flight with Administrator Isaacman

Stan Butchart climbing into B-47

From December 10, 1966, until his retirement on February 27, 1976, Stanley P. Butchart served as Chief (later, Director) of Flight Operations at NASA's Flight Research Center (renamed on March 26, 1976, the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center). Initially, his responsibilities in this position included the Research Pilots Branch, a Maintenance and Manufacturing Branch, and an Operations Engineering Branch, the last of which not only included propulsion and electrical/electronic sections but project engineers for the X-15 and lifting bodies. During his tenure, however, the responsibilities of his directorate came to include not only Flight Test Engineering Support but Flight Systems and Loads laboratories. Before becoming Chief of Flight Operations, Butchart had served since June of 1966 as head of the Research Pilots Branch (Chief Pilot) and then as acting chief of Flight Operations. He had joined the Center (then known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' High-Speed Flight Research Station) as a research pilot on May 10, 1951. During his career as a research pilot, he flew a great variety of research and air-launch aircraft including the D-558-I, D-558-II, B-29 (plus its Navy version, the P2B), X-4, X-5, KC-135, CV-880, CV-990, B-47, B-52, B-747, F-100A, F-101, F-102, F-104, PA-30 Twin Comanche, JetStar, F-111, R4D, B-720, and B-47. Although previously a single-engine pilot, he became the Center's principal multi-engine pilot during a period of air-launches in which the pilot of the air-launch aircraft (B-29 or P2B) basically directed the operations. It was he who called for the chase planes before each drop, directed the positioning of fire rescue vehicles, and released the experimental aircraft after ensuring that all was ready for the drop. As pilot of the B-29 and P2B, Butchart launched the X-1A once, the X-1B 13 times, the X-1E 22 times, and the D-558-II 102 times. In addition, he towed the M2-F1 lightweight lifting body 14 times behind an R4

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Visits KSC

Daniel Forrestel, manager, Ground and Missions Operations Office of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prepares to put on a flight helmet on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew Forrestel on an employee incentive flight in Isaacman’s personal Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft around NASA Kennedy. As the newly appointed 15th administrator of the agency, Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities.