SOFIA Returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703

SOFIA Returns to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703

SOFIA Returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703

NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Jaiwon Shin talked to staff and managers at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in California March 17 about the New Horizons initiative. The 10-year plan could substantially improve aviation and provide major economic benefits.

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NASA research pilot Nils Larson and photographer Jim Ross complete aerobatic maneuvers in a NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California owned T-34C aircraft during a proficiency flight.

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center T-34C Aircraft in Flight

NASA and Joby Research Near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

One of multiple NASA distributed sensing ground nodes is set up in the foreground while an experimental air taxi aircraft owned by Joby Aviation hovers in the background near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on March 12, 2025. NASA is collecting information during this study to help advance future air taxi flights, especially those occurring in cities, to track aircraft moving through traffic corridors and around landing zones.

NASA and Joby Research Near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

One of multiple NASA distributed sensing ground nodes is set up in the foreground while an experimental air taxi aircraft owned by Joby Aviation prepares to take off in the background near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on March 12, 2025. NASA is collecting information during this study to help advance future air taxi flights, especially those occurring in cities, to track aircraft moving through traffic corridors and around landing zones.

NASA and Joby Research Near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

One of several NASA distributed sensing ground nodes is set up in the foreground while an experimental air taxi aircraft owned by Joby Aviation sits in the background near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on March 12, 2025. NASA is collecting information during this study to help advance future air taxi flights, especially those occurring in cities, to track aircraft moving through traffic corridors and around landing zones.

NASA and Joby Research Near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA aeronautical meteorologist Luke Bard adjusts one of several wind lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on March 12, 2025, in preparation to collect data from Joby Aviation’s experimental air taxi aircraft. NASA is collecting information during this study to help advance weather-tolerant air taxi operations for the entire industry

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks with employees and contractors in front of a painting of former astronaut and research pilot Neil Armstrong during Isaacman’s visit to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Isaacman, NASA’s 15th administrator, began visiting the agency’s centers after his appointment on Dec. 17, 2025.

NASA Administrator Isaacman Visits Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, speaks with Armstrong acting Chief Information Officer Haig Arakelian, left, and IT Chief Engineer Jaime Herrera during Isaacman’s visit to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Isaacman, NASA’s 15th administrator, began visiting the agency’s centers after his appointment on Dec. 17, 2025.

NASA Administrator Isaacman Visits Armstrong Flight Research Center

Derek Abramson and Robert Jensen unload the Hybrid Quadrotor 90C (HQ-90) at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Lab in California on Oct. 1, 2020. The Resilient Autonomy project will use the vertical lift and transition remotely piloted aircraft for software testing at NASA Armstrong.

HQ-90 aircraft arrived and assembled at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover met with Edwards Air Force Base school-age children at a joint NASA and Air Force Black Employee Resource Group event at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Feb. 15.

Astronaut Victor Glover Visits NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman looks inside the cockpit of the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft during his visit to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Isaacman, NASA’s 15th administrator, began visiting the agency’s centers after his appointment on Dec. 17, 2025.

NASA Administrator Isaacman Visits Armstrong Flight Research Center

Vicki Crisp Deputy Chief Technologist Visit from HQ

NASA Acting Deputy Chief Technologist Vicki Crisp in a Flight Simulator at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, center, stands with NASA X-59 pilots Nils Larson, left, and Jim “Clue” Less during Isaacman’s visit to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Isaacman, NASA’s 15th administrator, began visiting the agency’s centers after his appointment on Dec. 17, 2025.

NASA Administrator Isaacman Visits Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA Pilatus PC-12 soars over NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 18, 2024.

NASA’s Pilatus PC-12, based out of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, is seen flying over NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. On Sept. 18, 2024, NASA pilots and crew from both centers flew the PC-12 over the Mojave Desert in a series of familiarization flights. Familiarization flights involve egress training, preflight walkaround, interior preflight, engine start, taxi, and takeoff.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, speaks with NASA X-59 pilots Jim “Clue” Less, left, and Nils Larson during Isaacman’s visit to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Isaacman, NASA’s 15th administrator, began visiting the agency’s centers after his appointment on Dec. 17, 2025.

NASA Administrator Isaacman Visits Armstrong Flight Research Center

The Hybrid Quadrotor 90C (HQ-90) is displayed outside the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Lab in California on Oct. 1, 2020. The Resilient Autonomy project will use this vertical lift and transition remotely piloted aircraft for software testing.

HQ-90 aircraft arrived and assembled at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA pilot Kurt Blankenship reviews flight plans during the pre-flight brief to gather Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data using NASA’s Pilatus PC-12 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 23, 2024.

NASA pilot Kurt Blankenship maps out flight plans during a pre-flight brief. Pilots, crew, and researchers from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California and NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are briefed on the flight plan to gather Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast signal data between the aircraft and ping-Stations on the ground at NASA Armstrong. These flights are the first cross-center research activity with the Pilatus-PC-12 at NASA Armstrong.

NASA researchers Curt Hanson (background) and Saravanakumaar Ramia (foreground) control the air taxi virtual reality flight simulator from computers during a test at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California in March 2024.

Air Taxi Passenger Comfort Simulator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center with Pilot

NASA’s Pilatus PC-12 flies over the world’s largest compass rose at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 18, 2024

Based out of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the Pilatus PC-12 is flying over the compass rose in the Roger’s Dry Lakebed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California. The compass rose is more than 4,000 feet in diameter and aligned to magnetic north, to test navigation equipment on aircraft. The Pilatus PC-12 tests communications technology for the emerging Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem. Pilots and crew from both centers perform familiarization flights to prepare for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) systems tests between the aircraft and ping-Stations on the ground at Armstrong Flight Research Center. These flights are the first cross-center activity with the Pilatus-PC-12 at Armstrong Flight Research Center.

Derek Abramson and Robert Jensen install a wing on the Hybrid Quadrotor 90C (HQ-90) at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Lab in California on Oct. 1, 2020. This vertical lift and transition remotely piloted aircraft arrived in pieces packed in crates for the Resilient Autonomy project to test software in flight.

HQ-90 aircraft arrived and assembled at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center

Derek Abramson and Robert Jensen assemble pieces of the Hybrid Quadrotor 90C (HQ-90) at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Lab in California on Oct. 1, 2020. This vertical lift and transition remotely piloted aircraft arrived in pieces packed in crates. It was reassembled for the Resilient Autonomy project to test software in flight.

HQ-90 aircraft arrived and assembled at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

Derek Abramson and Robert Jensen install one of two wings on the Hybrid Quadrotor 90C (HQ-90) at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Lab in California on Oct. 1, 2020. This vertical lift and transition remotely piloted aircraft arrived in pieces packed in crates for the Resilient Autonomy project to test software in flight.

HQ-90 aircraft arrived and assembled at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center

The X-56A takes off on its maiden flight from NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.

Second X-56A MUTT Makes First Flight

The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft taxis to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, following its landing at Edwards Air Force Base. Ground teams await the aircraft’s arrival at its new home for flight operations in support of NASA’s Quesst mission to generate data on quiet supersonic flight

X-59 Taxis to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA test pilot Wayne Ringelberg sits in the air taxi virtual reality flight simulator during a test at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California in March 2024.

Air Taxi Passenger Comfort Simulator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center with Pilot

NASA test pilot Wayne Ringelberg and NASA researcher Kyle Barnes prepare for Ringelberg’s ride in the air taxi virtual reality flight simulator during a test at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California in March 2024.

Air Taxi Passenger Comfort Simulator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center with Pilot

The G-IV joins NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s fleet of airborne science aircraft

In a series of baseline flights beginning on June 24, 2024, the G-IV aircraft flew over the Antelope Valley to analyze aircraft performance. To accommodate a new radar instrument developed by JPL, NASA’s Airborne Science Program has selected the Gulfstream-IV aircraft to be modified and operated by Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California and will accommodate new instrumentation on board in support of the agency’s science mission directorate. Baseline flights began at NASA Armstrong in June 2024

NASA Pilatus PC-12 cuts through the desert skies over NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California with the compass rose in the background on Sept. 18, 2024.

Used as a directional indicator the compass rose guides pilots flying test and experimental aircraft like the Pilatus PC-12 in the vast airspace over NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. This Pilatus PC-12 based out of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is being flown for a series of familiarization flights for NASA’s Armstrong pilots and crew. These familiarization flights supported communication, navigation and surveillance evaluations for Advanced Air Mobility research.

Engineers and researchers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center monitored the flights, and were able to observe the mapping of the sonic boom carpet from the F-18, from the center’s Mission Control Center.

NASA’s Improved Supersonic Cockpit Display Shows Precise Locations of Sonic Booms

Working in the Mobile Operations Facility at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, NASA Advanced Air Mobility researcher Dennis Iannicca adjusts a control board to capture Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data during test flights. The data will be used to understand ADS-B signal loss scenarios for air taxi flights in urban areas.

NASA researcher Dennis Iannicca adjusts a control board in the Mobile Operations Facility to gather Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast signal data at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 23, 2024.

The X-56A flies over the desert near NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. NASA researchers are using the remotely piloted X-56A to explore the behavior of lightweight, flexible aircraft structures.

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NASA Armstrong’s Mission Control Center, or MCC, is where culmination of all data-gathering occurs. Engineers, flight controllers and researchers monitor flights and missions as they are carried out. Data and video run through the MCC and are recorded, displayed and archived. Data is then processed and prepared for post-flight analysis.

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The Mojave Desert serves as a stark background for NASA’s Pilatus PC-12 flying near Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 18, 2024.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology to test and evaluate communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, NASA’s Pilatus PC-12 flies over the Mojave Desert near Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Based at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the Pilatus PC-12 runs a series of familiarization flights for NASA Armstrong pilots before a test series evaluating ADS-B or Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast systems for advanced air mobility applications in the desert flight test range on Sept. 18, 2024. Airborne work during familiarization flights includes several approach and landings, with an emphasis on avionics, then medium altitude air-work with steep turns, slow flight, and stall demonstrations to qualitatively understand the handling characteristics of the aircraft. The flights lasted about 60 to 90 minutes on average.

A NASA F/A-18 demonstrates different volumes of sonic booms for attendees of a NASA Social at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.

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Johanna Lucht, observing data from the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, received flight communications from an interpreter, seen on Lucht’s monitor, through American Sign Language. Two-way visual communication was established between Lucht and the interpreter, located at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, for the flight. Interpreting technical terminology often requires cooperation to develop specific signs to ease communication. Using a familiar interpreter who is adept or practiced in the technical terminology of a NASA flight was beneficial, Lucht says.

NASA’s X-59 in Flight with F/A-18 Research Aircraft Monitoring

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 research aircraft. A NASA F-15 research aircraft (not pictured) captured the image as the X-59 traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits outside Hangar 4826 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Nov. 19, 2025. The aircraft’s arrival at NASA Armstrong on Oct. 28, 2025, marked its transition into flight operations in support of NASA’s Quesst mission to gather data on quiet supersonic flight.

NASA’s X-59 Arrives at New Base of Flight Operations

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits inside Hangar 4826 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Nov. 18, 2025. Following its first flight on Oct. 25, 2025, in support of NASA’s Quesst mission, the aircraft entered scheduled maintenance as part of its transition into flight operations. Quesst aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight and reduce the disruptive sonic boom to a quieter sonic thump.

NASA’s X-59 Arrives at New Base of Flight Operations

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits inside Hangar 4826 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Nov. 18, 2025. Following its first flight on Oct. 25, 2025, in support of NASA’s Quesst mission, the aircraft entered scheduled maintenance as part of its transition into flight operations. Quesst aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight and reduce the disruptive sonic boom to a quieter sonic thump.

NASA’s X-59 Arrives at New Base of Flight Operations

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits inside Hangar 4826 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Nov. 18, 2025. Following its first flight on Oct. 25, 2025, in support of NASA’s Quesst mission, the aircraft entered scheduled maintenance as part of its transition into flight operations. Quesst aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight and reduce the disruptive sonic boom to a quieter sonic thump.

NASA Pilatus PC-12 performs touch-and-go maneuvers over the runway at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California to gather data on low-altitude Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast signals on Sept. 23, 2024.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology to test and evaluate communication, navigation, and surveillance systems NASA’s Pilatus PC-12 performs touch-and-go maneuvers over a runway at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on Sept. 23, 2024. Researchers will use the data to understand Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) signal loss scenarios for air taxi flights in urban areas. To prepare for ADS-B test flights pilots and crew from NASA Armstrong and NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, ran a series of familiarization flights. These flights included several approach and landings, with an emphasis on avionics, medium altitude air-work with steep turns, slow flight and stall demonstrations.

Ground crew members make final preparations on NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft at Edwards, California, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, ahead of a high-altitude mission for the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx). The pilot will soon board the aircraft, which can fly at altitudes up to 70,000 feet.

NASA ER-2 Flies Geological Mapping Mission

Flight Test Engineer Jacob Schaefer inspects the Cockpit Interactive Sonic Boom Display Avionics, or CISBoomDA, from the cockpit of his F-18 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

NASA’s Improved Supersonic Cockpit Display Shows Precise Locations of Sonic Booms

On June 17, 2025, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, hosted Bring Kids to Work Day, offering hands-on activities that introduced children and their families to the exciting world of aeronautics and flight research.

NASA Armstrong Bring Kids to Work Day 2025

Sarah D'Souza Administrator Award F-18 Flight

Shivanjli Sharma, Air Traffic Management and Safety (ATMS) project manager, boards an F/A-18 aircraft at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, as part of an employee incentive flight on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The flight was piloted by Wayne “Ringo” Ringelberg and offered a firsthand look at the aircraft and flight operations that help advance NASA’s aeronautics research. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman established the ride‑along program to recognize and reward workforce members for their dedication to advancing the agency’s priorities. Credit: NASA

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Dream Chaser® spacecraft shown on the runway at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center on May 20 preparing for a tow-test. The spacecraft is undergoing ground tests leading up to a free flight test later this year.

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NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft cruises above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

NASA’s X-59 in Flight Above the Mojave Desert

Sarah D'Souza Administrator Award F-18 Flight

Shivanjli Sharma, Air Traffic Management and Safety (ATMS) project manager, and pilot Wayne “Ringo” Ringelberg high-five ahead of an employee incentive flight from NASA’s Armstrong Research Center in Edwards, California. The flight offered a firsthand look at the aircraft and flight operations that help advance NASA’s aeronautics research. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman established the ride‑along program to recognize and reward workforce members for their dedication to advancing the agency’s priorities. Credit: NASA

Neil A. Armstrong, left, presents a flag from the Moon to Paul F. Bikle, director of NASA’s Flight Research Center (now NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center), in 1966 in Edwards, California.

Armstrong Presents Lunar Flag to NASA Flight Center Director

Sarah D'Souza Administrator Award F-18 Flight

An F/A-18 aircraft soars through the sky from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Aboard is Sarah D’Souza, deputy systems manager for the Orion Thermal Protection System, piloted by Jim “Clue” Less, offering a firsthand look at the aircraft and flight operations that help advance NASA’s aeronautics research. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman established the ride-along program to recognize and reward workforce members for their dedication to advancing the agency’s priorities. Credit: NASA

NASA’s Super Guppy cargo transport aircraft parked on the ramp in front of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703.

NASA’s Super Guppy Arrives to Armstrong Building 703 for Maintenance

A NASA T-34 aircraft, tail number 602, arrived at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Feb. 14, 2026. This aircraft was flown from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, to NASA Armstrong, to be evaluated for use as a flight research and pilot training platform for the center.

PC-12 and T-34 Aircraft Arrive to NASA Armstrong

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft taxis at Edwards, California, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, ahead of a high-altitude mission supporting the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx), which requires flights of up to eight hours at approximately 65,000 feet altitude.

NASA ER-2 Flies Geological Mapping Mission

Children explore a virtual reality flight simulator during Bring Kids to Work Day on June 17, 2025, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The immersive experience introduced participants to aerospace engineering and flight research in an engaging, hands-on environment.

NASA Armstrong Bring Kids to Work Day 2025

Oregon Air National Guard and NASA flight crew look out across the desert while awaiting the arrival of the NASA’s newest F-15 aircraft from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

NASA’s Newest F-15s Arrive at NASA Armstrong

NASA Pilots Add Perspective to Research

Mark Russell, center, a research pilot at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, explains the differences in flight environments at different NASA centers. Jim Less, a NASA pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, left, Russell, and Nils Larson, NASA Armstrong chief X-59 aircraft pilot and senior advisor on flight research, provided perspective on flight research at the Ideas to Flight Workshop on Sept. 18 at NASA Armstrong.

Crew members prepare NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft for flight at Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in support of the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx). The high-altitude science aircraft operates between 20,000 and 70,000 feet. For this mission, pilots flew at approximately 65,000 feet, requiring them to wear specially designed pressure suits.

NASA ER-2 Flies Geological Mapping Mission

A crew member handles liquid nitrogen servicing for NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft at Edwards, California, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Liquid nitrogen is used to support key science instruments for extended flight durations in critical research missions, such as the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx), which requires flights of up to eight hours at approximately 65,000 feet altitude.

X-59 Arrives at NASA Armstrong Following First Flight

The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Ground teams perform final checks on the aircraft at its new home for flight operations. Next, the aircraft will undergo scheduled maintenance followed by a series of additional test flights, gradually building toward its first supersonic flight.

X-59 Arrives at NASA Armstrong Following First Flight

The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Ground teams perform final checks on the aircraft at its new home for flight operations. Next, the aircraft will undergo scheduled maintenance followed by a series of additional test flights, gradually building toward its first supersonic flight.

X-59 Arrives at NASA Armstrong Following First Flight

The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Ground teams perform final checks on the aircraft at its new home for flight operations. Next, the aircraft will undergo scheduled maintenance followed by a series of additional test flights, gradually building toward its first supersonic flight.

A child poses in an astronaut cutout suit during Bring Kids to Work Day on June 17, 2025, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The event offered children and their families an up-close look at the center’s research aircraft and engaged them in educational activities promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

NASA Armstrong Bring Kids to Work Day 2025

Front view of NASA’s Super Guppy cargo transport aircraft as it taxis in at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 ramp.

NASA’s Super Guppy Arrives to Armstrong Building 703 for Maintenance

A Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, tail number 606, is being towed and pushed by a crew at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Feb. 11, 2026. This aircraft is now housed at NASA Armstrong to continue supporting research at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, among other agency efforts.

PC-12 and T-34 Aircraft Arrive to NASA Armstrong

Technicians unload the LEAPTech experimental wing upon its arrival at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Ground testing will begin after the wing is mounted on a specially modified truck.

LEAPTech to Demonstrate Electric Propulsion Technologies

Left to right: workhorse F-15B #836, "Mr. Bones" F-15D #884, and "2nd to None" F-15D #897 on the back ramp at NASA's Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.

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