As part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program and dressed in blue flight suits next to family members, NASA employees Charles Meilbye, Aaron Smith, and Matthew Kufner receive awards from NASA Kennedy’s Director of Human Capital Office, Mike Beaupre (far left), on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The awardees suited up in NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

As part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Matthew Kufner, Charles Meilbye, Aaron Smith participate in a preflight briefing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The awardees donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employees participate in an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the administrator’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Matthew Kufner, Charles Meilbye, and Aaron Smith donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Matthew Kufner climbs into one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Multiple NASA awardees donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Charles Meilbye climbs into one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Multiple NASA awardees donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employees participate in an employee incentive flying event using NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's personal F-5 aircraft, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the administrator’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Matthew Kufner, Charles Meilbye, and Aaron Smith donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Charles Meilbye is recognized as part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meilbye, with other awardees, suited up, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Matthew Kufner, right, dons his flight suit ahead of a ride-along flight aboard one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program, Kufner and other awardees suited up, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

Piloting one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft, Pilot Scott Glaser is given the go-ahead to taxi for liftoff at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. As part of the administrator’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Matthew Kufner, Charles Meilbye, and Aaron Smith donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Charles Meilbye gestures from inside the canopy of one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft as it prepares to take off from the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. As part of the administrator’s Flight Experience Award program, Meilbye and other NASA awardees donned NASA flight suits, completed preflight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Kuo-Chia “Alice” Liu completes a ride-along flight in one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program. Liu, with other awardees, suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Raymond “Jim” Lanzi completes a ride-along flight in one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program. Lanzi, with other awardees, suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Kuo-Chia “Alice” Liu is recognized as part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liu, with other awardees, suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

One of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircraft taxis on the runway at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program. Multiple NASA awardees suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

Two of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s personal F-5 aircrafts taxi on the runway at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program. Multiple NASA awardees suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Raymond “Jim” Lanzi (left) and Pilot Scott Glaser walk on the tarmac at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, June 18, 2026. As part of the NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program, Lanzi, along with other awardees, suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the Administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

As part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Kuo-Chia “Alice” Liu, Raymond “Jim” Lanzi, and Logan Larson receive awards from NASA Kennedy’s Director of Human Capital Office, Mike Beaupre, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Awardees suited up in NASA flight suits, completed pre-flight briefings at the spaceport’s Launch and Landing Facility, received awards from NASA Kennedy’s Director of Human Capital Office, Mike Beaupre, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

As part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program, NASA employees Kuo-Chia “Alice” Liu, Raymond “Jim” Lanzi, and Logan Larson participate in a pre-flight briefing on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Awardees donned NASA flight suits, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

NASA employee Kuo-Chia “Alice” Liu dons a blue NASA flight suit and helmet ahead of her ride-along flight, as part of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s Flight Experience Award program on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liu, with other awardees, suited up, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

Pilot Scott Glaser, left, and NASA employee Raymond “Jim” Lanzi climb into one of the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft, as part of the NASA Administrator’s Flight Experience Award program on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Multiple NASA awardees suited up in flight suits, completed pre-flight briefings, and experienced a unique flight aboard the administrator’s personal F-5 aircraft. The ride-along flight experience award program highlights NASA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across the workforce.

Robert E Quinn, Supervisory Information Technology Specialist, an Administrator's Flight Experience Award recipient getting out of NASA Langley's aircraft. The Administrator’s Flight Experience Awards, is a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities. Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Mark Knopp)

Lindsay Rogers Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO), an Administrator's Flight Experience Award recipient inside NASA Langley aircraft. The Administrator’s Flight Experience Awards, is a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities. Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Ryan Hill)

Lindsay Rogers (L), and Robert Quinn (R) were presented the Administrator’s Flight Experience Award by Dr. Trina Dyal, Acting Center Director, The awards is apart of a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities. Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Mark Knopp)

Robert Quinn (middle) and Lindsay Rogers (R) seen with NASA Langley’s pilot Pat Bookey, are recipients of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Awards, a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities at Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Ryan Hill)

Lindsay Rogers and Robert Quinn participants in Administrator Jared Isaacman’s initiated employee incentive program, received the Administrator's Flight Experience Award, presented by Acting Center Director Trina M. Dyal at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Ryan Hill)

Robert E Quinn, Supervisory Information Technology Specialist, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), poses with NASA Langley’s pilot Pat Bookey after receiving the Administrator's Flight Experience Award under Administrator Jared Isaacman initiated employee incentive program at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Mark Knopp)

Lindsay Rogers, Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), poses with NASA Langley’s pilot Taylor Thorson after receiving the Administrator's Flight Experience Award under Administrator Jared Isaacman initiated employee incentive program at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Mark Knopp)

Lindsay Rogers, Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), and Robert Quinn, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) participate in an employee incentive flying event with NASA Langley pilots Taylor Thorson and Pat Bookey. Rogers and Quinn flew in NASA Langley’s aircraft as part of the Administrator’s Flight Experience Awards, a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities. NASA Langley Research Center aircraft in Hampton Va. (Photo Credit: NASA, Ryan Hill)

NASA videographer Jacob Shaw shares a moment with his constant companion during a break in the cafeteria at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on May 21, 2025. Shaw recently earned first place in NASA’s 2024 Videographer of the Year Awards – documentation category – for his film, “Reflections,” which chronicles the 2024 Airborne Science mission PACE-PAX – short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Postlaunch Airborne eXperiment.

NASA videographer Jacob Shaw captures footage of the ER-2 aircraft inside a hangar at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, in December 2024. Shaw recently earned first place in NASA’s 2024 Videographer of the Year Awards – documentation category – for his film, “Reflections,” which chronicles the 2024 Airborne Science mission PACE-PAX – short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Postlaunch Airborne eXperiment.

Howard Hasbrook volunteers for a demonstration of a scaled-down version of Lieutenant Colonel John Stapp’s rocket sled set up in the hangar at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. In 1945 Stapp, an Air Force medical doctor, volunteered to participate in a deceleration program to study the human body’s tolerance to aircraft crash forces. A 1500-pound sled powered by rockets was installed in 1947 on a section of railroad track in the California desert. Stapp participated in 29 experiments over the next seven years and broke land and deceleration records. These tests studied the effects of acceleration, G-force, deceleration, and wind blast on humans. Stapp suffered broken bones and retinal hemorrhages, but suffered no permanent damage. NACA Lewis was conducting a series of crash impact studies in the mid-1950s using dummies in actual aircraft. Irving Pinkel, the director of the program, and Stapp became friends through their mutual interest in this field. In April 1956 Stapp visited the Cleveland lab to give a talk to the local section of the American Rocket Society that discussed issues relating to the escape of pilots from the cockpit of supersonic jet aircraft. That same week, NACA Lewis’ Pinkel, Gerard Pesman, Merritt Preston, and Dugald Black received the annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award for their work on the Crash Fire Program. Black and Preston are visible in the crowd in this photograph.