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

The Aero Commander arrival to NASA Flight Research Center.

The Aero Commander arrived at the NASA Flight Research Center (later, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA).

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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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 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

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 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

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

The Aero Commander arrived at the NASA Flight Research Center (later, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA).

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

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.

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

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’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.

The Pathfinder-Plus solar-electric flying wing lifts off Rogers Dry Lake adjoining NASA Dryden Flight Research Center on a turbulence-measurement flight.

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

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 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.

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

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.

The X-48C Hybrid Wing Body research aircraft banked right over NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, CA during one of the sub-scale aircraft's final test flights on Feb. 28, 2013.

X-48C Banks over Dryden Flight Research Center

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

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

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

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 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.

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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 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 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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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

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 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.

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

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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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.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and Center Leadership Observe X-59’s First Flight

Paresev on Taxi Strip

Test pilot Milton Thompson sitting in NASA Flight Research Center-built Paresev 1 (Paraglider Research Vehicle) on the taxi strip in front of the NASA Flight Research Center in 1962. In this photo the control stick can be seen coming from overhead and hanging in front of the pilot. The control system was a direct link with the wing membrane made of doped Irish linen. By maintaining simplicity during construction, it was possible to make control and configuration changes overnight and, in many instances, in minutes.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's T-34 support aircraft provided safety chase for the joint NASA/Boeing X-48B.

Dryden's T-34 Chases the X-48B

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

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

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